78 BIRD ARCHITECTS 



European Swallow, but breeds in South Africa, making 

 a cup-shaped nest of mud on a beam of an outhouse, 

 or under an overhanging bank or rock, and lays three or 

 four eggs of a white ground spotted with pinkish-brown 

 and yellowish. 



The Larger Stripe-breasted Swallow (H. cucullata) and 

 its smaller congener (H. puella) are blue above and have 

 the head and rump of a brick-red colour : whitish below 

 streaked with brown shaft-stripes. The latter bird differs 

 from the former in being smaller, the shaft-streaks being 

 broader and the lower back and rump being darker red. 



Both construct mud nests of a globular shape with a 

 long entrance tunnel, the larger species preferring a beam 

 in an outhouse, or a skirting board on a verandah, 

 whereas the smaller bird usually places its nest under 

 an overhanging rock. They lay pure white eggs. 



The Bed-breasted Swallow (H. semirufa) is easily 

 recognisable by its entire under surface being of a rich 

 chestnut colour. 



It constructs a nest much like that of the Stripe- 

 breasted Swallow, and lays white eggs. 



The Cliff-Swallow (Petrochelidon spilodera) is the last 

 representative of the family. It somewhat resembles 

 the Lesser Stripe-breasted Swallow in coloration, but 

 has a white chin, and pale reddish throat followed by a 

 blackish band with white spots ; rest of under surface 

 white, except the vent regions, which are reddish. 



This is a common bird in the Orange River Colony, 

 where it builds in colonies against the walls of houses, 

 At Brandfort Station, a large number of nests were 

 usually to be found clustered against the goods-shed, 



