BIRD-BONES FOUND IN THE CAVES. 237 



already noticed, has also been met with at Lacombe-Tayac, where I have recog- 

 nized a nearly entire metatarsus, a tibia, and a humerus. Parts of the skeleton 

 of Passeres do not appear to be very rare in the Cave-deposits; but their size 

 renders it difficult to distinguish them ; and their fragility is such that the leg- 

 bones are almost always broken. It is generally the humerus that is best- 

 preserved, on account of its more squat form and greater solidity. 



31. THE WAXWING. Ampelis garrulus, Linne". Le Jaseur de Boheme. 



A humerus and an ulna from the Cave at Lherm evidently belong to this 

 Bird, which is a species not seen now in France, except at distant intervals. It 

 inhabits the eastern parts of the north of Europe and Asia. 



32. THE REDSTART. Motacilla phcenicura, Linne; Ruticilla phoenicura, Bonap. 

 Le Rouge-queue des murailles. 



The Lherm Cave has likewise yielded a humerus which I think should be 

 referred to the Redstart. This species is widespread in France, and is seen among 

 rocks or near old walls, in the holes of which it usually builds its nest. 



33. THE CRAG-MARTIN. Hirundo rupestris, Scopoli. L'Hirondelle de rocher. 



At the time of the excavations which I undertook, with M. E. Lartet, in the 

 Cave at Lourdes, I collected two small humeri which agree with the Crag-Martin. 

 The arm-bone of the Swallows is easily distinguished from that of any other of 

 the Passeres ; and that of the species in question is more robust than in any 

 other representative living in our regions. Hirundo rupestris is at the present 

 day common in the Alps and Pyrenees. It ordinarily nests in caves or in the 

 crevices of rocks which explains readily its presence at Lourdes and Bruniquel, 

 where I have likewise recognized its bones. 



34. A SWALLOW, undetermined. Hirundo, sp. ? 



A humerus more robust than that of the preceding species has also been found 

 at Bruniquel. I have not hitherto been able to refer it to any known species. 

 But the elements of determination at my disposal are insufficient ; and, perhaps, 

 when I can bring together the bones of a greater number of Crag-Martins, I shall 

 be able to assure myself that the size of this bird may be subject to more consider- 

 able variations than those I have already observed, and that in them the arm-bone 

 may attain the dimensions of the Bruniquel fossil. 



