HIBUNDO. BIRDS. 267 



those situations in which insects most abound. These last they seize with great 



Sromptitude in their long sustained and very rapid flights. They catch their food, 

 rink, and bathe, as they glide smoothly and nimbly along the surface of the water. 

 Their motions are easy, swift, and graceful ; and, when not occupied with breeding 

 or sleep, they are althost incessantly on the wing. Their nests are hard and rough 

 on the outside, but furnished with soft materials within. Their migrations are no 

 longer matter of doubt ; and the observations of M. Natterer of Vienna have esta- 

 blished the important fact that they moult in February, which is a fresh argument 

 against their alleged torpor in winter. 



H. rustica, Lin. Chimney Swallow. Forehead and throat brown 

 chestnut ; sides of the neck and a broad band on the breast black, 

 with violet reflections ; a large white spot on the interior web of 

 the tail-feathers, with the exception of the middle ones ; exterior 

 wing- feather on each side longer than the others ; belly and ab- 

 domen dirty white or reddish. 6 inches long. Inhabits Europe. 

 B. Sc%, Illusl. pi. 42. fig. 1. 



This well known species occurs almost everywhere in the old continent. It 

 visits us earlier in the season than any of its congeners, usually, if the weather be 

 mild, about the beginning of April, or a week before the House Martin, and it retires 

 about the end of September, or beginning of October. Previous to their departure, 

 the chimney swallows congregate in flocks of three or four hundred, on houses or 

 trees, and usually steal ofT in the night, to avoid the birds of prey, which seldom fail 

 to harass them in their route. On such occasions their progress is always in a 

 southerly direction, availing themselves as much as possible of favourable winds ; 

 and when no obstacles interfere, they usually arrive in Africa in the first week of 

 October. 



H. urbica, Lin. The Martin. Head, neck, and top of the back black, 

 with violet reflections ; wings, tail, and larger coverts black ; tail 

 forked j lower parts and rump white, tarsi and toes covered with 

 downy feathers. 5 inches long. Inhabits Europe B. Selby, 

 Illust. pi. 42. fig. 2. 



Their first annual appearance in this island is about the 16th of April, and 

 they leave us the latest of their tribe, in general about the beginning of October, 

 although some have been known to remain till the 6th of November. According to 

 Mr White, many more leave this country than return to it in spring ; but such as 

 revisit their native seats, find their way back again to their own nests, as has been as- 

 certained by tying coloured threads or brass wires to their legs. 



H. riparia, Lin. Sand Martin. Upper parts, cheeks, and pecto- 

 ral band dark brown ; wings olive brown, inclining to blackish ; 

 throat, belly, and upper tail-coverts white ; tail forked ; tarsi and 

 toes naked, except a few small feathers at the insertion of the 

 hind toe. 5 inches long. Europe. B. Selby, Illust. pi. 42 fig. 33. 



H. rupestris, Lin. Upper parts clear brown, the wings a little deep- 

 er ; lower parts dirty white, tinged with reddish on the sides ; 

 tarsi furnished with a grayish down ; tail with feathers of equal 

 length, the two middle feathers without spots, the others with a 

 large oval white spot. 5 inches long. Inhabits Southern Europe. 

 Tern. Man. 430. 



H. leucoptera, Lath. White-winged Swallow. Crown and upper 

 parts of the body cinereous, with blue and green reflections ; 

 greater coverts and secondary quills variegated with white; primary 

 quills and tail brown ; rump and under parts white. 5 inches 

 long. Inhabits Guiana. Sharv, x. pi. 13. 



