over the fore neck and breast seems to vary so much in C. paludicola that the distinctions 

 we drew in the ' Catalogue of Birds ' between the two forms, resting on this character, 

 appear to ixs now to be undeserving of much credit. The grey on the throat may also 

 prove to be due to seasonal changes, and in that case there will be nothing but the 

 smaller size by which C. minor can be recognized. 



The late Baron von Heuglin gave the following account of this species in his ' Orni- 

 thologie Nordost Afrika's ' : — 



" This little Bank-Swallow is common from central Egypt along the whole of the 

 Nile, as Avell as in Abyssinia. It breeds in Egypt and Nubia in small and large flocks, 

 between the months of Pebruary and May, and. also at the time when the water is lowest. 

 The nest-holes resemble those of C. rqyaria, but are generally not so deep, and, according 

 to Brehm, are often very near together, and always in the perpendicular alluvium walls 

 of the banks. 



" As early as June or July the old and young birds assemble in large flocks, flying 

 backwards and forwards along the water, and often settling on the shore or on sand- 

 banks. In September these little birds migrate southwards, swarming more especially 

 in the evening, and passing in a dense cloud across the Blue and White Niles at Khar- 

 toum, falling in countless multitudes on the fields of Sorgho, where they often pass the 

 night in company with Sand-Martins, Chimney-Swallows, and Wagtails. Some of the 

 Europeans keep a sharp look-out for them at this time, and each year hundreds of these 

 harmless little birds are taken with the hand, to be utilized for kitchen requirements. 

 I have also observed the species in September and October on the Danakil and Somali 

 coasts. 



" As late as December 18G2, we found a nest of the present species in a burrow, 

 about one or two feet in depth, in the high bank of the Asam at Adowa. It consisted 

 of dry grasses, and contained three eggs, nearly ready to hatch." 



Mr. W. T. Blanford states that he saw this Sand-Martiu in countless swarms on 

 Lake Ashangi in April. They kept much in flocks, roosting among the reeds at night. 

 Sir W. C. Harris met with the species at AngoUala in Shoa. 



The description is taken from Mr. Blanford's specimen in the British Museum, and 

 the figure is also drawn from the same bird. 



