21,6 SYNOPSIS. AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX 
dove; which prefers forks of trees, builds 6 to 8 feet: 
high, but often more; also in ivy). The eggs may~ 
be sometimes cream coloured. 
17. SWALLOW 
(Pages 140-153) 
Hirundo rustica. (Lat., Hirundo, a swallow ; rusticus, 
rural, pertaining to the country.) See also (Synopsis) 
House Martin (especially), Sand Martin, and Swift. It 
is the second in size of these birds, the order being : 
(x1) Swift (length 74 in.); (2) Swallow (length also 74 : 
in. but wings and tail not so long as swift’s) ; (3) House 
Martin (length 54 in.); and (4) Sand Martin (length 
5 in.). Found: Widely distributed. Migratory: Ar- 
rives beginning of April, leaves September to October. 
It resembles the house martin, wrth which it 1s usually 
confounded when seen at a distance, and also in its habits, 
flight, note, food and migration ; but differs in plumage, 
not having the white rump of the house martin, and front 
parts are dull white and not the pure white of the house 
martin; head black, forehead and throat chestnut 
brown, and a black bar across chest. The black in the 
swallow is of a beautiful brilhant very deep violet tint. 
It is also more a country bird than the house martin, 
frequenting chiefly country towns and villages, hence 
name (vustica). It is the house martin that builds the 
