( (2b. ) 
Hirundo Nipalensis, would be an appropriate name, for it seems more 
at home in these parts and Nepal, still more plentiful, than when off 
to the plains for a change of air. At times it is popularly called 
house martin, owing to its love or appreciation for human_habita- 
tions and surroundings, even the busiest parts of Darjeeling does 
not seem to alarm it, for I have seen birds year by year build in the 
exposed gables of the market, in such precarious places as would 
make a MJerulinw mother shudder. These birds, Dawrica, are seen 
going about their business in a quiet matter-of-fact sort of way in 
spite of the noise and racket going on just below them, and it does 
credit to both Nepaleese and Tibetians to hear, that, on occasions 
when a young one has fallen to the ground, to get in all probability 
trodden under foot, it has been gently replaced in the nest again. 
The remaining species of swallows are found chiefly in the plains. 
Martins, on the other hand have more somber plumage they are 
divided into sand and crag martins, with this latter group is found 
the better known, house martins, under the genus Chelidon (urbica). 
Martins, have weak, depressed smallish bills ; broad at the base. 
In size these birds are smaller than swallows generally, excepting 
the small sized species of swallows which, however, do not visit 
Darjeeling such as Hirundo filifera ete. Matins have longish 
wings, reaching beyond the tail; tail is even ; tarsi are a bit longer 
than Hirundo ; toes weaker ; claws longish. 
I. SAND MARTIN 
(88) CotyLe Supsoceata, Dusky Martin. This small martin is 
frequently met with, when flying in mixed groups of swallows and 
switts in Darjeeling, usually during the rainy season. It prefers the 
vacinity of water courses and bigger Jhoras, to skim over the gorges. 
The locality known as Kagjhora is a favourite resort of these mar- 
tins, occasionally accompanied by some of the crag martins. Their 
flight is a bit laboured, when compared with the swallows and 
swifts, which latter, shoot past them with lightning speed ; but the 
martins labour bravely on picking up on their aérial journey, what 
insects the more masterly fliers have made snaps at and perchance 
missed their aim, but having attained a velocity which they have no 
wish to slow down to attempt a second shot. For this reason, may 
be, we find the little martins skim close to the ground along corners 
of the upper and less frequented roads, where they meet with a 
better chance of disturbing insects on the ground or half winged 
gnats missed by the swallows and swifts. I have often passed 
corners of a road, overlooking a jhora, when martins have been 
flying backwards and forwards skimming along about a foot off the 
ground, at times they look as if they are coming straight for one, 
4 
