we are yet uncertain as to the plumage of the young. Those which seem to us to be immature 

 are much duller in colour than the adults, have scarcely any bars on the rump, and have whiter 

 throats. The blacker throats are probably signs of the older birds ; but the changes of plumage 

 in the species are at present not at all understood, and there are apparently no marked signs of 

 young plumage, as in the other Martins, where the white-edged secondaries proclaim the imma- 

 turity of the specimen at a glance. Some specimens of C. nipalensis have a brownish shade on 

 the sides of the body, but we have not been able to decide that this is a sign of immaturity. 



Hab. The Himalayas from Naini Tal to Sikhim, and thence to the Naga and Dafla hills, and the hills of 

 Manipur. 



In describing the present species Mr. Moore proposed the generic name of Delichon, an 

 anaorammatic rendering of Chelidon, for its reception. As Dacelo is an accepted genus 

 of Kin "-fishers, although formed from the component letters of Alceclo, there is no reason 

 why Delichon, which has a fine classical Grecian aspect, should not be employed, as it 

 is of course open to any one, hard up for a new generic iiame, to throw the letters of 

 Alceclo or Chelidon into the air, and then walk round them till a presentable combination 

 becomes visible. We do not of course suggest that an excellent ornithologist like Mr, 

 Moore adopted this plan ; but we have been credibly informed that it was in this way that 

 the name Dacelo was called into existence. Our reasons for not adopting Delichon are 

 simply that the genus would rest on a square form of the tail for its separation from 

 Chelidon ; and as the shape of this tail varies in each species of Martin, we do not feel it 

 possible to separate the Nipalese species. When the nesting-habits of C. 7ii2Mlensis are 

 brou"-ht to light there may be found some reasons for modifying our opinion; but from 

 the facts known at present, we do not see any necessity for separating the Hima- 

 layan Martin from the other members of the genus Chelidon. 



The species was discovered by Mr. Hodgson in Nepal during the later years of his 

 residence in that country, and it does not figure in his earlier lists. No notes on its 

 capture are preserved in the MSS. which he presented to the Zoological Society, and 

 his first specimens were given to the India Museum in 1854:. Dr. Scully does not seem 

 to have met with it in Nepal. 



The most westerly locality whence we have seen specimens has been Naini Tal, from 

 Avhich place there are three good skius in the British Museum : the collector is unknown, 

 but the specimens have evidently been procured by a painstaking naturalist, as they have 

 the sexes very carefully marked. They are labelled " Naini Tal, 8000 feet, April and 

 July ; common. Large flights beating along the hill-sides." 



The series of specimens in the Hume collection from Native Sikhim and Sikhim 

 Avere all obtained by the late Mr. Mandelli, in August and September, and from Novem- 

 ber to January. Mr. H. J. Elwes procured a specimen in Sikhim in October, so that it 

 must be resident in that part of the Himalayas from August to January. Jerdon 

 found it at Darjiling at about 4500 feet of elevation, in the valley of Rungnoo, near the 



