ZOOLOGY. 93 



This genus is principally confined to South America, 

 India, Cipe of Good Hope, and the West India Islands; 

 most kinds are of gay plumage, their habits very wild and 

 shy, feeding on fruits and insects ; and frequenting woody 

 situations. 



16. Jlirundo. Swallow. B/// short, weak, broad, flatten- 



ed at the base, curving at ihe tip; gape, wide; nostrils 

 open ; tongue broad, short, bifid ; tail forked ; toes 

 three forward, one backward ; a few species have the 

 four toes^ all placed forwards, (as in the British specieSj 

 the Swift. H. apus.) 



A lively, active, cleanly family ; generally frequenting the 

 Ticinity of water, they are mostly migratoryj the European 

 species repairing northwards in Spring, and southward in 

 Autumn. They are entirely insectivorous, and take their 

 prey generally on wing; their nests are composed of tem- 

 pered earth, mixed with straw, and lined with feathers. 

 They may be obtained either by the gun, or in a net placed 

 across any avenue they frequent, which should be drawn up 

 the instant they are approaching, as they fly with so much 

 velocity, as to prevent their escaping, if the net be managed 

 with any degree of adroitness. Four species, are natives 

 of this country, see British Ornilhologj/, vol. 1. 



17. Glareolu. Pratincole. Bill short, strait, hooked a£ 



the tip; gape wide; nostrils placed near the base, 

 linear, oblique ; toes long, slender, connected by a 

 membrane ai the base ; legs bare oi feathers above the 

 knees } tail forked, composed of twelve feathers. 



