Borneo, and we have examined the type specimens in the Leyden Museum and compared 

 them directly with a Japanese example. There can he no douht as to the specific 

 identity of these specimens, although from such distant localities. 



The Bornean specimens were for many years the sole representatives of the species 

 in the museums of Europe, and it is not a little extraordinary that the species has since 

 escaped the notice of all the excellent collectors who have worked in that island. Nor 

 has it yet been found in any of the Philippine Islands, although, as was pointed out by 

 the late Consul Swinhoe, it probably goes southwards with other Japanese species (such 

 as Sturnia pyrrhogenys) Avhich do not visit China on migration, but winter in the Philip- 

 pines {cf. Ibis, ISTJj, p. 152). 



Por the discovery of the present species in Japan we are indebted to that veteran 

 naturalist Captain Blakiston, after whom the specimens were named by Consul Swinhoe : 

 but later on the latter gentleman had great doubts as to the distinctness of his Chelidon 

 hlalcistoni from C. dasyjjus of Borneo, and, as it has turned out, the identity of the two 

 is now fully established. 



Mr. Henry Whitely was the next observer who sent specimens to Europe. He 

 found it near Hakodate, where he procured two specimens on the 17tli of April, but he 

 remarked that it was not common there. These two specimens are in the British 

 Museum. 



In the list of the Birds of Japan written by Capt. Blakiston and Mr. H. Pryer, we 

 find the following note on this Martin : — "This species was collected first at Hakodate, 

 where it breeds in numbers under overhanging clitfs and in caves. It has since been 

 found in other parts of Japan, Puji, Nikko, and on the summit of Ominesanjo in Yamato, 

 being the common High-mountain and Cliff-Martin of the country. It is very abimdant 

 at Chinsenji, where it may be seen flying over the lake and about the Kegon waterfall 

 in thousands. Eggs white. Nest outwardly of mud, lined with grass and feathers, 

 generally placed in a cranny of rocks." In the 'Amended List ' of Japanese birds by 

 Capt. Blakiston, the present species is stated to be common to Yezo and Japan generally. 



Mr. Jouy writes : — " We found these birds breeding in considerable numbers on the 

 sides of an inaccessible cliff or chasm on Puji-yama, above the limit of forest growth. 

 Their nests must have been composed largely of saliva, as there is no mud in that 

 volcanic region. Many of the birds, when shot, had their mouths full of fine scoriee 

 dust, of which they were evidently making their nests. We saw the birds on some of 

 the higher passes in Shinshin in September." All Mr. Jouy's specimens were obtained 

 in July. 



It will be seen from the above notes that the species is found in Japan at least from 

 April, when Mr. Whitely's specimens were procured, to September, when Mr. Jouy 

 noticed it. Nothing has been recorded of the time of migration, though we presume 

 that, like other Martins, the present species leaves its northern residence in the winter, 

 and it is then doubtless that it occurs in Borneo. 



The descriptions of the plumages are taken from the British-Museum ' Catalogue of 

 Birds.' The Plate is drawn from a skin in Mr. H. Seebohm's collection. 



