244 MESSRS. SHARPE AND DRESSER [Apr. 28, 
in Central Asia, and was received in a collection of other species by 
Madame Verdey. It seems closest allied to the C. fumigata of 
Swinhoe from China, but differs from it in the following characters, 
which readily serve to distinguish it from that species. The upper 
plumage of C. fumigata is chestnut-brown, instead of olive-brown 
as in the present bird, which has no trace of chestnut ; the super- 
ciliary stripe in C. fumigata is white, in this species it is yellow ; the 
throat and underparts of C. subflavescens are yellow, while those of 
its ally are white. These are sufficient to indicate the differences 
which exist, although others occur*. 
The specimen described is the only one I have seen; and I have 
no information regarding the economy or habits of the species. 
5. On some new or little-known points in the Economy of 
the Common Swallow (Hirundo rustica). By R. B. 
SHarpe, F.L.S. &c., and H. E. Dresser, F.Z.S. &c. 
In examining a large series of the Common Swallow (Hirundo 
rustica) for our proposed work on the Birds of Europe, some peculiar 
facts have come under our observation, which do not seem to have 
been previously recorded by other ornithologists ; and we therefore 
lose no time in bringing them before the notice of the public. In 
order to place the result of our observations in as clear and concise 
a manner as possible before our readers, we think it best to give the 
following diagnoses of the specimens on which our conclusions have 
been based. We take this opportunity of returning our best thanks 
to Mr. Frederick R. Surtees, to whom we are indebted for the spe- 
cimens from South Africa, which have been the means of our 
making the discovery of the curious phases of plumage through 
which the Common Swallow passes on leaving northern latitudes. 
The Rev. Dr. Tristram has also, with his usual kindness, sent us 
his specimens of Swallows collected by him in Palestine. 
No. 1. (Taken from a nest at Highgate, near London, on the 
22nd of June, 1869.) Frontlet (extending backwards over the eye) 
and throat very pale sienna; space between the bill and the eye, as 
well as the cheeks, black ; entire upper surface dusky steel-blue ; quills 
blackish, edged externally with greenish blue, as also the tail, which 
is almost square, the spots on the latter white, tinged faintly with 
buff ; a band extending across the lower part of the throat and chest 
dusky black with scarcely any blue refiection ; rest of the under 
surface of the body white, tinged with delicate buff, flanks dusky ; 
bill blackish, yellow along the gape; feet dark brown. Total length 
4-3 inches ; wing 3:1; tail measured to tip of outer-feather 1-3. 
* Since writing the above I have been shown by Lord Walden a specimen of 
C, fasciolata, Gray (P. Z. 8. 1860, p. 349), from Batchian, which resembles my 
bird still more closely than C. fumigata, but differs in having a much larger bill 
and in the colour of the upper parts and tail. The two species can readily be 
distinguished from each other, 
