348 



HIRUNDINIDJE. 



reaching three-quarters of an inch beyond the end of the 

 second tail-feather ; from the carpal joint to the tip of the 

 wing, five inches ; the first and second quill-feathers nearly 

 equal, but the first longest. 



The female has less chestnut on the forehead, the upper 

 surface generally not so glossy, the dark thoracic band 

 narrower, the lower parts less tinged with buff and the 

 belly nearly white, while the outermost tail-feathers are also 

 shorter. 



The young on leaving the nest have the forehead, a line 

 over the eye, and the chin, pale chestnut, the thoracic band 

 dull black, but faintly glossed and the upper parts generally 

 are much less bright, while the white spots on the tail- 

 feathers are tinged with rufous. The outermost tail-feathers 

 do not acquire their full length till after the first moult. 



