THE SWALLOWS AND SWIFTS OF BERAR. 213 



of that of the Swifts or Wire-tailed Swallows. During- the 

 cold season the young" often assemble in large flocks, but 

 these all disperse, or perhaps migrate, as the weather gets 

 warmer, and only a few pairs remain to breed during the 

 monsoon. The nest is of mud, with a prolonged entrance 

 running along the wall, and is lined with coarse grass and 

 feathers. The eggs are long shaped, and pure white, without 

 spot of any kind. In the subterraneous situation in which the 

 nest is so often placed, and with the air still further excluded by 

 the long neck, it is a marvel how the young escape suffocation. 



The Cliff Swallow, {H. fluvicola.) 



The smallest of onr Swallows, and much less familiarly 

 known than the other species, as it lives in colonies, and 

 is strictly confined to certain localities : at Akola there 

 is one of these colonies, which build their nests under a 

 broken portion of a wall which stretches out into the 

 Moorna ; the nests are retort shaped ; a few stand apart, but the 

 majority are attached together, the tubular necks all standing 

 out from the wall, and presenting a very peculiar appearance. 

 With the first heavy showers of the monsoon the river comes 

 down in a flood, and washes the whole place clean ; as soon as 

 the rains abate, rebuilding commences, and the bustle in the 

 early morning is prodigious, the birds hurrying from all quarters 

 with their bills full of mud. They are much persecuted by 

 sparrows, who take possession of the egg cup of the nest before 

 the neck is added, and a single pair will cause several nests to 

 be deserted before they suit themselves. As soon as the nests 

 are finished the eggs are laid, and when hatched the birds simply 

 throw the eggshells into the water instead of carrying them to 

 a distance, as is done by most birds, aware, apparently, that the 

 stream will carry them away. I have noticed this also in the 

 case of the weaver bird. The second brood is in February, 

 during which month they swarm about the nests like bees about 

 a hive, while every now and then splash into the water goes 

 some too fragile neck, breaking even under the light weight 

 of the little owner. These breakages do not, however, interfere 

 in the least with the process of incubation, but appear to be 

 repaired even while the mother bird is sitting. The eggs are 

 two, sometimes three, in number, of a white colour, spotted 

 with faint red; I have seen some, however, pure white; they vary 

 greatly both in colour and size. After the young quit the nest, 

 they associate in a large flock, playing about over the surface 

 of the water, and drinking frequently as they fly. The old 

 birds do not by any means confine themselves to the water, but 

 spread freely over the country, and sing much on the wing. 

 Their flight is comparatively feeble. 



