304. MR. R. B. SHARPE ON ETHIOPIAN HIRUNDINIDE. [May 12, 
Hartl. Journ. f. Orn. 1855, p. 360; Cass. Proc. Phil. Acad. 1859, 
p- 33; Du Chaillu, Eq. Afr. p. 472 (1862); Gray, Hand-l. of B. i. 
p- 71 (1869). 
Atticora nigrita, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av. i. p. 337 (1850) ; 
Hartl. Journ. f. Orn. 1853, p. 398; Miill. Journ. f. Orn. 1855, 
p- 3; Hartl. Orn. Westaf. p. 25 (1857). 
Waldenia nigrita, Sharpe, Ibis, 1869, p. 461. 
Above glossy purplish blue; chin dusky ; throat white; rest of 
the under surface of the body purplish blue, but more dusky than 
the back ; tail distinctly washed with dark blue above, underneath 
brownish black, the greater part of the inner web white ; bill black ; 
feet brown. Total length 4°5 inches; of bill from front 0°35, from 
gape 0°6; wing 4°3; tail 1°6; tarsus 0°35, middle toe 0°4, hind 
toe 0-2. 
Young. Dusky purplish blue, the white throat-spot not quite so 
large, the tail square, or only slightly forked, and the white spots on 
the inner web oval and small. 
Hab. Fantee (Pel) ; Rio Boutry (Pel); Calabar (Mus. Paris) ; 
R. Niger (Thompson) ; Camma River (Du Chaillu) ; Gaboon (Mus. 
R. B.S.). 
The Me that this species ought to be generically separated 
was entertained long ago by the late Mr. Cassin, who wrote in 1859 
as follows :— 
‘This fine species seems to indicate a distinct subgeneric group, 
having the bill and form of typical Hirwndo, with a shorter tail. 
Its colour, too, pure black, with the throat white, is quite cha- 
racteristic.” 
Genus 7. Hirunpo. 
Type. 
Hirundo, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 343 (1766) .... H. rustica. 
Cecropis, Boie, Isis, 1826, p. 971........---.-- H. capensis. 
Uromitrus, Bonap. Rivist. Contemp. Torino, 1857, 
Be Aine wre tree Be ataielate On hin es RCE tae ae aye a 
Hemicecrops, Bonap. Rivist. Contemp. 1857, p.4 H. dimidiata. 
Lillia, Boie, Journ. f. Orn. 1858, p. 364........ HH, rufula. 
Clavis specierum. 
A. dorso postico et uropygio cxruleis. 
a. capite ceruleo: fronte rufa. 
a’, gula intense rufa. 
a’. majores: subcaudalibus rufis vel rufa 
tinctis. 
a', subtus alba, rufo tincta, caudze 
MACUIG Al DIS 2008-5 ceosmensee saeco as 1. rustica. 
6’, subtus intense castanea, caudze ma- 
culis fulvo tinctis............+..e0 2. riocourt. 
6’. minores. 
ec”, subcaudalibus nigricanti-fuscis ... 3. angolensis. 
d’”, subcaudalibus purissime albis ... 4. lucida. 
é'. gula alba. 
e''. major: torque pectorali distincto ......... 5. albigularis. 
d’”. minor: torque pectorali interrupto ...... 6. ethiopica. 
