HIRUNDO RUSTICA. 103 
named Khotaifa by the Arabs, indiscriminately with the 
S wal low. " — Favier. 
The above notes equally apply to the House-Martin in 
Andalueia. The earliest date of arrival noticed at Gibraltar 
was the 5th of February. They (as well as Hirundo rustica) 
frequently nest on rocks, like Cotyle rupestris. 
124. Hirundo rustica, L. The Common Swallow. 
Moorish. Khotaifa. Spanish. Golondrina. 
"Great flights of Swallows pass in January and February 
to Europe, returning in September and October to join those 
which remain near Tangier to nest, all leaving to go further 
south for the winter. The Moors believe that it offends God 
to kill these birds, in the same way as they believe it pleases 
or soothes the Evil One to kill the Raven [Corvus corax). 
The stories on which this superstition is founded are too long 
to relate; but I was informed by one person that the 
Swallows and White Storks were inspired by Allah to 
protect the harvest and the country from noxious insects 
and reptiles, and that the birds themselves (knowing the 
benefits they confer on man) ask in return protection for 
their offspring by building their nests on the walls of towns 
and houses, and that therefore any one who kills them 
must be a Kaffir, i. e. not a true believer of the Prophet, 
especially as the birds would only be killed for mischief, 
being useless when dead." — Favier. 
I wish this belief coiild be instilled into the minds of 
English people, who kill and destroy every rare bird they 
see, perhaps more through ignorance than love of destruction. 
About Gibraltar the Swallow generally arrives about the 
13th of February, although I have occasionally seen a 
straggler in December and January. I have seen them 
crossing the Straits in considerable numbers up to the 15th 
of April ; the latest I noticed w^ere passing on the 24th of 
that month. I have observed the nest finished on the 23rd 
of February, and young birds able to fly on the 24th of 
May. One of each pair, when they first arrive, is tinged 
with a rufous buft'-colour on the underparts ; and as these are 
