Ornithology of Cyprus. 3 



of the under surface of these birds (Swallows) is extra- 

 ordinary. It is quite common in Cyprus to see it ranging 

 from nearly white to a deep reddish buff, from Hirundo 

 rustica to H. savignii in other words. Although one may 

 often see these extremes in a paired couple, the differences 

 in colouring do not appear to be sexual. In Cyprus, at any 

 rate, it is impossible to allow that H. savignii is a good 

 species." To this I can add nothing. I know of no 

 difference between the two forms in habits or distribution in 

 the Island. 



393. Hirundo rufula Temm. 



The Red-rumped Swallow is a summer visitor in some 

 abundance, but is capricious in its local nesting-haunts. Lord 

 Lilford met with it only in the Karpas and at Famagusta. 

 Milller refers to nine adults and one juvenile specimen, and 

 mentions several clutches of eggs taken between April the 

 23rd and May the 27th. Guillemard found it nesting on 

 the Famagusta battlements in April, at the ruins of Bellapais 

 in May, at Kyrenia, Larnaca tes Lapethou, and near Poli in 

 the Papho district, and saw a single specimen as early as 

 March 6th. Glaszner sent a few to Madarasz, collected on 

 Troodos in May and June. Horsbrugh found a good many 

 in the Troodos Range in the same months, and observed the 

 bird in several places in May on low grounds in the Papho 

 disti'ict. He discovered a number of nests near the camp on 

 the Troodos heights — one with nearly fully fledged young on 

 the 2nd of June. I have no exact details of its migratory 

 movements, but expect that it arrives in early April and 

 leaves at the end of September. 



396. Chelidon urbica (Linn.). 



The House-Martin is a summer visitor in considerable 

 numbers, but of local distribution, particularly in its choice 

 of breeding-sites. It was included by Sibthorp in his list. 

 Lord Lilford saw few, but Guillemard found it nesting in 

 very large numbers at the Kykko Monastery, on the Troodos 

 Range, at the end of May. Glaszner does not seem to have 

 sent any specimens to Madarasz, In July, August, and 



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