66 BRITISH BIRDS. 



size '69 by 52. Like M. grisola it feeds on insects but is 

 not so much addicted to taking them on the wing; the male 

 utters a tolerably loud and pleasing warble. 



80. Museieapa parva, Beeh. REDBREASTED 

 FLYCATCHER. 



Hab. Eastern half of Europe, north to St. Petersburg, 

 south to Black Sea ; also Asia, east to lake Baikal. In 

 winter migrating to Africa and India, and casually to W. 

 Europe. 



Male : upper parts dull brown, becoming greyish on head 

 and nape, and pale grey on cheeks ; basal half of each tail- 

 feather (except two middle ones) white, rest of tail dusky- 

 brown ; throat and breast, light orange-red ; abdomen 

 huffish-white ; bill and tarsi dark brown. Length about 

 4'8o. Female : orange-red is duller and restricted to the 

 throat. Young : like female but wing-feathers are tipped 

 and margined with buff and mantle spotted with same. 



Nine occurrences only are recorded for British Isles. 



Family HirundinidaD. 



GENUS XXXII. HIRUNDO, Linn&us (7766). 

 Bill short, weak, depressed, and very wide at base. 

 Wings long, pointed, with nine primaries only ; tail of 

 twelve feathers, much forked ; outer feathers, veiy long ; 

 tarsus without feathers ; feet small. 



81. Hirundo rustiea, Linn. SWALLOW. 



Hab. Europe, north to lat. 70 in Norway, and 

 northern Asia, east to lake Baikal ; also North Africa. In 

 winter to S. Africa and India. 



Male : upper parts metallic blackish-blue ; forehead, 

 throat, and under tail-coverts, chestnut red ; upper breast, 



