Ornithology of the Matopo District. 541 



evidently like to add fresh supplies as the original becomes 

 dirty and downtrodden. On arriving at their particular 

 hole, only one of the Swallows will enter at the time, and it 

 is pretty to watch the other remaining with flapping, quiver- 

 ing wings overhead, and keeping almost stationary even 

 against a strong wind. 



If intruded upon at this juncture, the watchful bird will 

 utter a querulous alarm-note (totally different from their 

 usual twittering), but as a rule the bird below will remain 

 sitting. Generally speaking, especially after the young have 

 flown, Hirundo semirufa is more sluggish than the majority of 

 Swallows, and is usually to be found in pairs, keeping much 

 to themselves (a trait also shared by H, cucullata), except 

 perhaps sometimes in the evening, when couples may 

 occasionally be found congregated at a termite-feast or the 

 like. At other times, noticeably during the heat of the 

 early afternoon, 1 have noticed them perched on a sprig of 

 '^mimosa" — often a long way from water — remaining per- 

 fectly quiet and still, beyond preening a refractory feather 

 or two as occasion demands. A female shot on February 8 

 measured 203 mm. ; wing 123, tail 118, tarsus 15, and 

 culmen 16 mm. Iris dusky brown ; bill black ; legs and 

 feet dark lilac-brown. The four centre rectrices were 

 immaculate, leaving only eight with the large white spots 

 on the inner webs. Another female caught on the nest in 

 February had the two centre rectrices only immaculate, the 

 next two with very small white spots, and the rest with large 

 spots. These variations are probably due to age, and the 

 same may possibly be found to be the case also with Rij)aria 

 fuligula anderssoni {vide supra). 



126. X Delichon urbica. House-Martin. 



Chelidon urbica (Linn.) ; Scl. ii. p. 278. 



The House-Martin occurs on its migrations, bat I have 

 only notes of its occurrence from March 12 to April 2. 

 On one occasion I saw several in company with many 

 Hirundo rustica and Riparia cincta. 



2o2 



