PURPLE MARTIN. 



191 



under the wings is a concealed patch of white. Bill black ; legs, feet, and 

 claws dark brown ; irides brown. The female very closely resembles the 

 male in colour, but is much duller above and the underparts are browner and 

 greyer, sometimes almost white on the belly. Young birds are said to 

 resemble the female. The general black colour and large size readily 

 distinguish this bird from our British species. 



Three other Swallows have been included in the British list, but on 

 evidence that is altogether unsatisfactory. The Red-rumped Swallow, 

 Hirundo rufula, was recorded in the 'Zoologist' for 1853 (p. 3753) by 

 Mr. Rodd, as seen by him at Penzance, in Cornwall. It may easily be 

 distinguished from the Barn-Swallow by its chestnut-coloured nape and 

 rump and its streaked underparts. It breeds in South-eastern Europe, 

 Asia Minor, and Palestine, wintering in North-east Africa. Its eggs are 

 indistinguishable from those of the House-Martin. 



An example of the Barn-Swallow more rufous than usual on the under- 

 parts was erroneously recorded in ' The Ibis ' for 1866, p. 423, by Mr. J. H. 

 Guruey, Jun., as a Chestnut-bellied Swallow, H. cahirica, the geographical 

 distribution and description of which is given amongst the allied species 

 of the Barn- Swallow. The eggs of the two species are indistinguishable. 



The White-bellied Swallow, H. bicolor, was recorded as a British bird 

 by AVolley, iu the 'Zoologist' for 1853 (p. 3806), from a specimen said to 

 have occurred near Derby in 1850. It is a bird somewhat resembling the 

 House-Martin in general appearance, but is without the white rump and 

 the feathered legs and feet. It is common throughout North America, 

 breeding from lat. 38 to the Arctic regions, and is also a resident on the 

 tablelands of Mexico. It winters in the West Indies, in Central America, 

 and the northern portions of South America. Its eggs are pure white. 



