PASSERINE BIRDS OF CEYLON. 161 



P. rupestris or P. concolor. The former species has a wide 

 range over the Old World, and the latter is found over a 

 great part of India proper. They might, however, possibly 

 be Chelidon urhica with a feathered foot. This last species 

 also is found over a wide extent of Europe, Africa, and Asia, 

 and has been recorded as far south as the Nilgii-is and 

 Travancore. 



Four species of Hirundo occur in the Island." One of these 

 is a common migrant, one a chance visitor ; the other two 

 are resident, and one of them is peculiar to Ceylon. 



Key to Ceylon Hirundinidse. 

 A. — Rump same colour as the back. 



(1) A dark glossy band across the chest. 



Hurundo rustica rustica (The Swallow). 



(2) No dark band across the chest. 



H. javanica (NUgiri House Swallow). 



B. — Rump chestnut, contrasting with the dark back. 



(1) Lower plumage pale rufous, much paler than 

 the ear coverts. 



H. daurica erythropygia (Syke's Striated 

 Swallow). 



(2) Lower plumage chestnut of same shade as the 

 ear coverts. 



H. hyperythra (Ceylon Swallow). 



HmUNDO RUSTICA RUSTICA. 



The Swallow. 

 Hirundo rustica (Gates, Vol. II., p. 277 ; Legge, p. 587). 



Description. — Forehead, chin, and throat chestnut ; lores 

 black ; upper plumage, including wing coverts, glossy purplish- 

 blue ; wing quills and tail black with a greenish lustre ; all 

 tail feathers, except the middle pair, with a white patch on 

 the inner web ; sides of the head and neck and a broad band 

 across the breast glossy-black, a few of the feathers on the 



21 6(17)21 



