HiRUNDO. BIRDS. PASSERES. 61 



against the rafters, composed of clay on the outside, with grass and feathers 

 within, and open above. Eggs from 4 to 6 in number, white, with red &pecks- 

 Frequently brings out two broods in the season. This species visits us ear- 

 lier than its congeners. Drinks and washes on the wing. Albinoes sometimes 

 occur. 



26. H. urbica. The Martin. — Above black ; beneath and 

 rump white. 



H. agrestis, Will. Orn. 155 — House-Martin, While, PhiL Trans. 1774^ 

 \m. Perm. Brit. Zool. i. 401 H. urb. Te7nm. Orn. i. 428 W, Mar- 

 thin Penbwl. 



I^ength G, breadth 10| inches. Bill black ; irides hazel 5 claws white ; legs 

 and toes closely covered witia white down. The black of the head and back 

 glossed with purple. The female has the white of the throat inclining to 

 dusky. Nest of similar materials to the rustica, but in this it is covered at 

 top, with a lateral entrance. It is placed against the eaves of houses or the 

 sheltered corners of windows. Eggs four or five ; white. In this species the 

 tail and wings are shorter than the swallow, and its motions less quick. Al- 

 binoes sometimes occur. 



36. H. riparia. Sand-Martin. — Plumage above, and the 

 breast, mouse coloured ; the rest white. 



Will. Orn. 15G. Sibb. Scot. I7. White, PhiL Trans. 1775, 272. Penn. 

 Brit. Zool. i. 402. Temnu Orn. i. 42d.—E, Shore Bird ; W, Gennol-y- 

 Glennydd ; G, Gobhlan gainbhich. 



Length 5i inches. Bill and legs dusky ; irides hazel. Tarsi with a few 

 small feathers at the msertion of the hind toe. Hhe female has duller colours. 

 Nest at the extremity of horizontal holes, in sand-banks, 2 or 3 feet in length, 

 consisting of grass and feathers. Eggs from 4 to G, of a white colour. The 

 young have the feathers bordered with rust colour.— .This species in flight is 

 iiTegular, making sudden jerks. 



Gen. XX. CYPSELUS. Swift.— Tail forked; of 10 fea- 

 thers. All the toes pointing forward. The first quill a 

 little shorter than the second. Nostrils near the ridge of 

 the bill, exposed, lengthened, with elevated margins. 



87. C. Apus. Common Swift. — Plumage black, with a white 

 chin. 



Hinnulo Apus, Will. Orn. 150. Sibb. Scot. 17. White, PhiL Trans^ 

 1775, 2G4. Penii. Brit. Zool. i. 403.— C murarius, Temm. i, 434 — E, 

 Black Martin, Screech ; W, Marthin du. 



Length 8, breadth 18 inches ; weight above an ounce. Bill, legs, and toes, 

 black ; irides dark hazel. Breeds in holes in towers and steeples. Nest of 

 grass and featliers. Eggs 2, of a white colour. The young have the feathers 

 at the base of the biU white ; tlie quiUs, their covers and tail-feathers bordered 

 with white. Copulate on wing. Breed only once in the season. Depart early. 



Gen. XXI. CAPRIMULGUS. Goatsucker.— Tail round- 

 ed, of 10 feathers. Three toes in front, vmited at the base 

 to the first joint ; hind-toe capable of being brought for- 



