BIEDS OF EGYPT. 123 



Entire length 5'3 inches; culmen 0*3; wing/ carpus to 

 tip, 5'2 ; tarsus 0'45. 



Fig. Gould, B. of Eur. pi. 56. 



83. Cottle obsoleta. Cab. Pale Crag-Swalloio. 



This species of Crag-Swallow is very plentifully distributed 

 throughout Egypt and Nubia, where it is a resident. It only 

 frequents the rocky districts, and is therefore of rare occur- 

 rence in the Delta, although at Cairo and the Pyramids it is 

 abundant. It may be easily recognized by the paleness of 

 the colouring of its back. It begins to breed about the 

 middle of February, placing its nest under the shelter of an 

 overhanging rock, or attaching it to the ceiling of some of the 

 less-frequented passages of the ruined temples, or even occa- 

 sionally in the native dwellings. The eggs of this species 

 are white, spotted with rufous brown, and are very like those 

 of Hirundo rustica. 



Upper plumage very pale brown, darkest on the head, and 

 especially in front of the eyes, and palest on the rump ; wings 

 rather darker than the back, except on the outer web of the 

 feathers ; the tail with a large white spot on all but the two 

 centre and two outer feathers ; underparts creamy white, 

 shaded with hair-brown on the flanks and under tail-coverts ; 

 tarsi unfeathered ; legs brown ; beak black ; irides dark 

 brown. 



Entire length 4-7 inches; culmen 0"3; wing, carpus to 

 tip, 4*5 ; tarsus 0'4. 



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