HIRUNDO ATROC^RULEA, Sund 



BLUE SWALLOW. 



Hirundo atroccernlea, Sundev. (ElV. K. Vet. Akad. Fork. Stockli. 185U, p. lOT ; 

 Gurney, Ibis, 1863, p. 152 ; Layard, B. S. Afr. p. 5-5 (1867) ; Gurney, Ibis, IbGs, 

 p. 152; Gray, Hand-1. B. i. p. 70, uo. 822 (1869); Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1870, p. 312; 

 id. Cat. Afr. B. p. 46 (1871) ; id. ed. Layard's B. S. Afr. p. 367, pi. 9. fig. 1 (lsS3) ; 

 id. Cat. Birds in Brit. Mus. x. p. 149 (1885). 



H. uropygio dorsoque concoloribus aerulco-nigris ; capite dorso concolori; corpore subtus omiiiim 

 caeruleo-nigro, dorso concolori. 



Hab. iu Africa raeridionali-orientali. 



Adult. Entirely glossy blue-black, a little more dusky underneath; the shafts of tlic primaries and tail- 

 feathers white and very plain on the underside ; bill black; feet dark brown. Total Icngtli 7"J 

 inches; of bill from front 0'3, from gape O'o ; wing 4-5, tail 4-G, tarsus 0-35, middle toe (M, 

 hind toe 0-2. 



Hub. The Colony of Natal in South-eastern Africa. 



This Swallow is very easily recognized from all the other species of the genus Hinnidd 

 by its uniform blue-black coloration both above and below. It is an exceedingly nirc 

 bird in collections, and we have seen but two specimens, both of Avhich are iu the British 

 Museum. One is from the Umvuli Ptiver in Natal, where it was collected by the hitr 

 Professor Wablberg, who was the original discoverer of the species; and a secoiul speci- 

 men was obtained by Mr. Thomas Ayres, also in Natal, and was presented to the Musoimi 

 by Mr. J. II. Gurney. It is apparently confined to Natal, as up to the present time no 

 example has Ijeeu procured outside the limits of that colony. 



Mr. T. Ayres states that it is the most uncommon species of all the Swallows in 

 Natal, where it frequents the open country, being, apparently, solitary in its habits. 

 They skim with ease and rapidity over the long grassy hills, and he never saw ilicni 

 taking a rest, but flying on and on, apparently without ceasing, lie ])clieves them to lie 

 found in Natal all tlie year round, as he lias seen them iu .Marcli, April, AnLrii--t. 

 November, and December. 



It will be noticed that the outside tail-fcatlier iu this species is very long, and shows 

 an approach to that of the Wire-tailed Su allow (//". si/iif/ii/). 



The description is taken from the Uuivuli Uiver skin in the l!i-iti-h Museum, and 

 the Plate is drawn from the same l)ird. 



