CAMPEPHAGIDAE 525 



C. concolor, and made of agglutinated pellets of mud with a lining of 

 straw, chaff, leaves, or featliers ; it may be similarly constructed but 

 semi-ovate, with a liole near the top, as in the Martin ; or retort- 

 shaped with a tube for entrance at the side, as in several members 

 of the genera Hirvndo and Fetrochelidon : in these cases it may 

 1 e ])laced inside buildings, under eaves, against rocks or walls. 

 Fi'ocnc — when not accommodated with a box — some species of 

 Tachyi'incta, Fctroclielidoii 'nu/ricans, and other forms, not uncom- 

 mon!}' prefer holes in trees, lining them as iisual, if at all ; while 

 man}' species of Cottle, Fsalidojyi'ocnc, and Cheramocca tunnel in 

 l)anks, or, more rarely, choose holes in masonry. Frocnc furcata 

 utilizes the holes of Conurus patachonius ; F. tafcra the nests of 

 Furiutfius riifus in Argentina; Tacliycineta Icvcorrlious occasionally 

 that of AnurahiiLS ; Atticora cymiohuca that of the Dendrocolaptine 

 (rrosifta, itself within that of a biscacha. The eusis are from four 

 to seven in number, generally pure white in Martins, and whitish 

 with reddish-brown, grey, and lilac markings in Swallows ; but 

 the cases are occasionally reversed. Two or even three broods are 

 reared in a season, and tended with the greatest care. Colonies 

 are i'requently formed, especially by Baidv- and Cliff-Swallows. In 

 Britain the Sand-Martin arrives first, but the Swallow conies early 

 in April, while individuals liave even been obtained in winter. 



Fani. XII. Campephagidae. — The " Cuckoo-Shrikes " are com- 

 monly placed near tlie Laniidae, but are possibly connected with 

 the Musclcapidae or the Corvidae. The bill is usually strong, 

 and of moderate length, being hooked, arched, and wide at the 

 base ; it is especially stout in Artamides, decidedly weaker in 

 Caiiipcplutfja, long and thin in Edolihoiaa. The metatarsus 

 may be elongated and comparatively roljust as in Ftcrojiodocys, 

 Lalayc, and Symmotyhus, or short and less powerful, as in 

 Fericrocotus ; the wings are normally long and pointed, and 

 more particularly so in Fericrocotus, Lalage, iSymmorphus, and 

 Graucalus. The tail is also fairly long, and frequently rounded, 

 though it may be forked, as in Fteroj^odocys, and to a less extent 

 in Cavvpechaera, or graduated as in Fericrocotus, Campephaga, and 

 Graucaliis. The plumage is soft, with characteristically stiff 

 shafts on the lower l)ack ; the nostrils are nearly concealed by the 

 feathers ; the rictal bristles are feeble. The usual coloration is 

 either bluish-grey with a certain amount of black and white, or 

 chietly black and white. The black has generally a purplish or 



