ZOOLOGY. 



93 



This genus is principally confined to South America, 

 India, Caps of Good Hope, and the West India Islands ; 

 most liinds are of gay plumage, their habits very wild and 

 shy, feeding on fruits and insects ; and frequenting woody 

 situations. 



16. Hirundo. Swallow. J8z7^ short, weak, broad, flatten- 

 ed at the base, curving at the tip ; gape wide ; nostrils 

 open; tongue broad, short, bifid; tail forked; toet 

 three forward, one backward ; a few species have the 

 four toes, all placed forwards, (as in the British species, 

 the Swift. H. apus.) 



A lively, active, cleanly family ; generally frequenting the 

 vicinity of water, they are mostly migratory, the European 

 species repairing northwards in Spring, and southward in 

 Autumn. They are entirely insectivorous, and take their 

 prey generally on wing ; their nests are composed of tem- 

 pered earth, mixed with straw, and lined with feathers. 

 They may be obtained either by the gun, or in a net placed 

 across any avenue they frequent, which should be drawn up 

 the instant they are approaching, as they fly with so much 

 velocity, as to prevent their escaping, if the net be managed 

 with any degree of adroitness. Four species, are natives- 

 of this country, see British Oniiiholagi/, vol. 1. 



17. Glareola. Pratincole. Bill short, strait, hooked at 

 the tip; gupe wide; nostrils placed near the base,, 

 linear, oblique ; toes long, slender, connected by a, 

 membrane at the base ; legs bare oi feathers above tka 

 knees ; tail forked, composed of twelve feathers. 



