Family Hirundinid.^ 



FAMILY HIRUNDINID^. 



SEEBOHAI widely dissevers the Swallows from the Flycatchers, placing them 

 immediately after the Bunting's ; possibly because of the fact that the tenth 

 primary is small and concealed b}- the upper covert, but is not absent as 

 Seebohm states. He says that they "are distinguished by their long pointed 

 wings, slender, wide bills, and small legs and feet. The * * * * ninth 

 primary is generally the longest. The tarsus is scutellated in front, and the tail 

 is generally forked. The most marked feature in the Swallows is that they have 

 no autumn moult, their new dress being assumed in February." 



The broad bill, small feet, and long pointed wings of the Swallows, appear to 

 me to show some affinity to the Flycatchers; whilst I find that H^michclidon fuli- 

 giiiosus, which Jerdon placed among the most typical Flycatchers of India, is said 

 to have "very much the aspect of a Swallow, both in colour and structure" (Birds 

 of India, Vol. I, p. 458). That certainly seems a hardly natural classification, which 

 interposes the whole of the Crows, Waxwings, Starlings, and Finches, between two 

 groups of birds so similar in their methods of feeding, and so eminently fitted for 

 an aerial existence as the Flycatchers and Swallows. 



The Hirujidinida: constitute a large, interesting, and widely distributed family 

 of very beautiful birds ; their nests, familiar to everyone, are triumphs of skill 

 and perseverance ; and, as regards our three British species, show good distinctive 

 features. 



Although it would hardly be supposed that Swallows were suitable subjects 

 for aviculture ; attempts have been made, with varying success, to keep the whole 

 of our three species : but, to preserve the health of such active birds, a great deal 

 of exercise is a necessity, and a very large aviary a consequent requisite : as cage- 

 birds, Swallows frequently quickly succumb to indigestion from over-feeding, and 

 lack of exercise. 



