158 AVES INSESSORES. [HIRUNDO. 



lateral feathers, two inches six lines; from the carpus to the end of the 

 wing four inches eleven lines : breadth, wings extended, thirteen inches 

 four lines. 



DESCRIPT. Forehead and throat chestnut-red : all the upper parts, 

 sides of the neck, and a broad transverse bar on the breast, black, with 

 purple and blue reflections : belly and vent reddish white : tail long, and 

 very much forked ; the two middle feathers plain ; the rest with a large 

 white spot on the inner web : bill and feet black. The female has less 

 red on the forehead, and less black on the breast : the under parts are 

 also whiter, and the outer tail-feathers not so long as in the male bird. 

 In young birds, the long tail-feathers do not appear till after the first 

 moult. White varieties are sometimes met with. (Egg.) White, spotted 

 and speckled with ash-colour and dark red-brown : long. diam. nine lines 

 and a half; trans, diam. six lines and a half. 



A summer visitant, making its first appearance about the second or 

 third week in April, and staying till towards the middle or end of 

 October. Feeds entirely on insects, taken on the wing. Builds generally 

 in chimnies : nest formed of mud plastered together, and lined with 

 feathers. Eggs four or five in number: two broods in the season. 

 Previous to migration, congregates in large flocks. 



132. H. urbica, Linn. (House Martin.) Head, nape, 

 and back, bluish black ; rump white : tarsi and toes fea- 

 thered. 



H. urbica, Temm. Man. d'Orn. torn. i. p. 428. Id. torn. in. p. 300. 

 Martin, Mont. Orn. Diet. Selb. Illust. vol. i. p. 123. pi. 42. f. 2. 

 Bew. Brit. Birds, vol. i. p. 293. 



DIMENS. Entire length five inches six lines: length of the bill (from 

 the forehead) three lines, (from the gape) six lines ; of the tarsus six 

 lines; of the tail two inches six lines and a half; from the carpus to the 

 end of the wing four inches four lines. 



DESCRIPT. Head, nape, and all the upper region of the back, glossy 

 bluish black: wings and tail dusky brown; the latter forked, but not 

 so long as in the last species : rump, and all the under parts from the 

 chin to the vent, pure white : tarsi and toes covered with a white down. 

 (Egg.) Smooth, delicate white: long. diam. nine lines and a half; trans, 

 diam. six lines. 



Rather later in its arrival than the last species, being seldom observed 

 in abundance before the end of April or beginning of May. Departs in 

 October ; but a few stragglers may occasionally be seen on to November. 

 Food and habits similar to those of the Swallow : flight not so rapid. 

 Nest usually fixed under the eaves of houses or in the angles of windows; 

 formed entirely of mud externally, and lined with feathers. Lays four or 

 five eggs, and has frequently two broods in the Summer. Congregates at 

 the approach of Autumn. 



133. H. riparia, Linn. (Bank Martin.) All the upper 

 parts, and a transverse band on t^he breast, cinereous brown : 

 tarsi and toes naked. 



H. riparia, Temm. Man. d'Orn. torn. i. p. 429. Id. torn. in. p. 300. 

 Sand Martin, Mont. Orn. Diet. Selb. Ittust. vol. i. p. 125. pi. 42. 

 f. 3. Bew. Brit. Birds, vol. i. p. 295. 



