GREY-RUMPED SWALLOW. 115 



These nests are a considerable object of traffic 

 among the Javanese, many of whom are employed 

 in it from their infancy. The birds, after having 

 spent nearly two months in preparing their nests, 

 lay each two eggs, which are hatched in about 

 fifteen days : when the young birds become 

 fledged, it is thought the proper time to seize 

 upon their nests, which is done regularly three 

 times a year, and is effected by means of ladders 

 of bamboo and reeds, by which the people de- 

 scend into the caverns, but when these are very 

 deep, rope ladders are preferred : this operation is 

 attended with much danger, and several perish in 

 the attempt." 



GREY-RUMPED SWALLOW. 

 (Hirundo francica.) 



Hi. nigricans, snbtus uropygioque albidis. 



Dusky Swallow, with the under parts and rump whitish. 



Hirundo francica. Gmel. Syst. Nat. 1. 1017. Lath. Ind. Orn. 



2. 5SO. 2S. 

 La petit Hirondelle noire a croupion gris. Buff. Hist. Nat. Ois. 



6. 696. 

 Grey-rumped Swallow. Lath. Gen. Syn. 4. 582. 30. 



THIS species inhabits the Isle of France, and 

 has the upper parts of the plumage dusky ; the 

 rump and under parts greyish white : it is rather 

 more than four inches in length ; delights to play 

 about near fresh waters j is seldom seen to settle, 



