18 THE BIRDS OF THE LUCKNOW CIVIL DIVISION. 
household pet that it is in England, frequenting for the most part 
open country, especially in the vicinity of jhils, and is not 
unfrequently found skimming over water in vast numbers. It 
sometimes perches on the bare branches of trees, and in some 
localities probably spends the night on them. 
It also frequents the telegraph wires, but has not, that I know 
of, any liking for native villages, though in towns it gets attach- 
ed to mosques, minarets and old buildings, about which many 
may always be found. 
84.—Hirundo filifera, Steph. 
The Wire-tailed Swallow—perhaps the loveliest of its tribe—is 
a permanent resident, and though never found in any great 
numbers, is universally spread over the Division. It habitually 
frequents jhils and rivers, the masonry bridges over the latter 
being favourite resorts ; but it may be met with in any locality 
on its way to and from its especial haunts. 
85.—Hirundo erythropygia, Sykes. 
The Red-rumped or Mosque Swallow is probably a permanent 
resident, though it is only in the cold weather that it is at all 
abundant, the majority migrating to breed either in the hills or in 
suitable localities on the plains, though I do not see why Lucknow 
should not suit it as well as most places. A few most likely 
do breed in the old mosques and minarets about the city, but 
vn every occasion I have failed either to find their nests or to 
see the birds. 
During the cold weather, as already remarked, it is, however, 
very common about Lucknow, frequenting the deep cutting 
known as Hyder Ali’s canal, as well as the mosques and 
minarets in the city, in vast numbers. In the district I have 
occasionally come across great flocks basking in the sun on 
the ground, generally in ploughed fields, and sanding them- 
selves like sparrows; while, at other times, [ have seen them 
on the telegraph wires, sitting in rows and keeping up an 
incessant chattering or twittering. They occasionally perch on 
bare trees, and probably pass the night in mangoe topes in the 
absence of more suitable resting places. In no other way 
can I account for their presence in localities, remote even from 
villages, where 1 have seen them often in great numbers at 
the break of day. 
89.—Cotyle sinensis, J. H. Gr. Native Name— Chota 
Ababil. 
The Indian Sand-Martin is abundant along the banks of all 
our rivers and frequents Hyder Ali’s canal in vast numbers. 
