370 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
357. Hirunpo semirura, Sundev. Red-breasted Swallow. 
(Plate IX., fig. 1.) 
Although having a rufous back and blue head like H. monteiri, the 
present species is easily distinguished by its smaller size and deep 
rufous under surface. It was described originally by Prof. Sundevall 
from Natal, where it was discovered by the late Prof. Wahlberg, 
and Mr. Thomas Ayres has procured it in the Transvaal. He 
writes :—‘‘ These Swallows appear in Potchefstroom in September, 
in the spring of the year, and continue throughout the summer. 
They appear to be somewhat solitary in habits during their stay, and 
are decidedly scarce. Their flight is comparatively heavy.” The 
late Mr. Frank Oates, during his journey to Matabili Land, met 
with it at Tati on the 4th of October, 1874, and again at Inchlangin 
about the beginning of December. 
Adult.—Above dark blue, inclining to indigo; rump chestnut; 
upper tail-coverts dark blue; quills black, brownish underneath, 
glossed above with dark blue; tail black, glcssed with blue above, 
every feather, except the two centre ones, having a very large white 
spot on the inner web; space between the bill and the eye velvety 
black; cheeks and ear-coverts deep blue-black ; entire under sur- 
face chestnut, very deep on the flanks and abdomen; under wing- 
coverts fulvous; edge of wing fulyous, mottled with black: “ bill 
black; legs dusky; iris dusky” (7. Ayres). Total length, 8°8 
inches; culmen, 0°69 ; wing, 5:2 ; tail, 5°3 ; tarsus, 0°56. 
856. Hirunvo cucuntara, Bodd. Larger Stripe-breasted Swallow. 
Hirundo capensis, Layard, B. 8. Afr. p. 54. 
The two remaining species of the rufous-backed Swallows are 
easily distinguished by their rufous heads. 
Chis is the household Swallow of the colony, breeding freely about 
the houses and in the country, often selecting the usual living-room 
of the family. In the city this familiarity is not permitted, on 
account of the dirt made by the birds ; but the Boer fixes up a board 
under the nest, to prevent the worst fouling, and considers that the 
rest is atoned for by the destruction of the myriads of flies, of which 
his little favourites rid him during the season of their stay.| And 
only those who have sojourned in a Boer’s house can estimate the 
plague of flies that infest it: they swarm on “ bed and board ;” they 
pollute the food and drink; chairs, tables, walls, everything is 
