( 24 ) 
life peculiar to the place. Others remain with us quite a long time, 
These birds are generally seen either resting on the electric light 
wires, or more frequently darting about the air ; circling round the 
broad jhoras, water courses, with saucer like basins and banks 
protected from inclement weather where winged insects have passed 
the hibernating period of their existence, in chiefly the refuse, of the 
surrounding houses and busties not far off, which has been dumped 
down to the contamination of these beautifully crystal springs. 
Most of these fleeting, ever active, species of Hirundinide, you will 
seldom or ever get a chance of being familiar with. Their flight is 
rapid and the evolutions in the air, of all members of this group is 
marvellous and difficult to follow by the eye. It requires not a 
little patience to distinguish the typical markings of each genus, 
more so of the species with any assurance of certainty. 
Genus Hirundo, Bill largish, very broad at the base, triangular in 
shape, tip compressed ; tail, varied in the different species ; tarsus 
unfeathered ; feet moderate. Contain two groups :—I° Hirundo, 
where, colour, above, is fairly uniform. II. Cecropis head or rump or 
both (rufous) chesnut. 
(82) Hirunpo Rustica, Common Swallow, however, ought not to 
give much trouble in distinguishing. Its longish forked tail will 
help to identify it from other members of this family, together with 
the marks and colour. In length it is 74 inches ; a large white spot 
or patch, on the tail is always perceptable ; above, the plumage is 
glossy bluish black ; throat ferruginous ; breast band, black ; beneath 
with a brownish red tinge. It is sometimes called the English 
Chimney Swallow. In Darjeeling it frequents more open country 
and I doubt if it seeks a night’s lodging in these undesirable house 
flues in this district. Rustica is migratory in its habits and visits 
the plains in the cold weather. A few remain behind and breed in 
Darjeeling, but most of them go far north. 
(85) Hirunpo Davrica, Red-Rumped Swallow, or Mosque Swal- 
low as it is sometimes called, presents to the eye more distinctive 
markings. They are plentiful, greater part of the year in Darjee- 
ling, and build freely on more exposed corners of dwelling houses 
chiefly, generally under the eaves; just above a window at times, 
and are oftener than not badly treated for this act of implicit trust 
and confidence in our good nature. One pair, for many years has 
found a comparatively safe corner at the apex of the west window of 
St. Columba’s Church in Darjeeling. Daurica is 74 inches in length. 
. 5 to) 
colour, above, bluish black ; the ferruginous markings chiefly on the 
rump, helps to distinguish this species, also ear-coverts and sides of 
the head which are ferruginous ; lower parts of the body plumage are 
brownish red with dark streaks ; part of under-tail coverts black. 
