VII 



CAMPEPHAGIDAE 525 



C. concolor, and made of agglutinated pellets of mud witli a lining of 

 straw, chaff, leaves, or feathers ; it may be similarly constructed but 

 semi-ovate, with a hole near the top, as in the Martin ; or retort- 

 shaped with a tube for entrance at the side, as in several members 

 of the genera Hirundo and Fetrochelidon : in these cases it may 

 be placed inside buildings, under eaves, against rocks or walls. 

 Trocne when not accommodated with a box some species of 

 Tacliycincta, Fetrochelidon nigricans, and other forms, not uncom- 

 monly prefer holes in trees, lining them as usual, if at all ; while 

 many species of Cot He, I'salidojri'ocne, and Cheramoeca tunnel in 

 banks, or, more rarely, choose holes in masonry. Frocne furcata 

 utilizes the holes of Conurus patachonius ; F. tcqjera the nests of 

 FurnariiLS rufns in Argentina; Tachycineta leucorrhous occasionally 

 that of Ayiumbius ; Atticora cyanoleuca that of the Dendrocolaptine 

 Geositta, itself within that of a biscacha. The eggs are from four 

 to seven in number, generally pure white in Martins, and whitish 

 with reddish-brown, grey, and lilac markings in Swallows ; but 

 the cases are occasionally reversed. Two or even three broods are 

 reared in a season, and tended with the greatest care. Colonies 

 are frequently formed, especially by Bank- and Cliff-Swallows. In 

 Britain the Sand-Martin arrives first, but the Swallow comes early 

 in April, while individuals have even been obtained in winter. 



Fam. XII. Campephagidae. The " Cuckoo-Shrikes " are com- 

 monly placed near the Laniidae, but are possibly connected with 

 the Muscicajndae or the Corvidae. The bill is usually strong, 

 and of moderate length, being hooked, arched, and wide at the 

 base ; it is especially stout in Artamides, decidedly weaker in 

 CcmiiKphaga, long and thin in Edoliisoma. The metatarsus 

 may be elongated and comparatively robust as in Fteropodocys, 

 Lalage, and Symmorphus, or short and less powerful, as in 

 Fericrocot'us ; the wings are normally long and pointed, and 

 more particularly so in Fericrocotus, Lalage, Symmorplms, and 

 Grauccdns. The tail is also fairly long, and frequently rounded, 

 though it may be forked, as in Fteropodocys, and to a less extent 

 in Campechaera, or graduated as in Fericrocotus, Ca7npephaga, and 

 Graucalus. The plumage is soft, with characteristically stiff 

 shafts on the lower back ; the nostrils are nearly concealed by the 

 feathers ; the rictal bristles are feeble. The usual coloration is 

 either bluish-grey with a certain amount of black and white, or 

 chiefly black and white. The black has generally a purplish or 



