nape-band, which should by rights be a character of H. senegalensis ; and, lastly, in one specimen 

 with entirely black tail-feathers, the reddish-brown nape-band is altogether wanting ; so that it 

 would be possible to establish four varieties." Our experience of the specimens in English 

 museums has not confirmed the variations in character detailed by Dr. Reichenow, and at present 

 we keep the two species distinct. From the observations given by the above-named naturalist it is 

 evident, however, that, on the northern limits of its range, H. monteiri shows a tendency to 

 coalesce with H. senegalensis, and the two forms may interbreed on the Congo. 



Hub. West Africa from the Loango Coast to Oudonga ; East Africa from the Zanzibar district to the 

 Shire river. 



This fine Swallow, as big as H. senegalensis, and therefore one of the largest members of 

 the family, is confined to Africa, where it occupies a more southern area in that continent 

 than its near ally. It was described by Dr. Hartlaub from a specimen brought from 

 Angola by the late Mr. J. J. Monteiro, one of the many true naturalists who have lost 

 their lives in the Dark Continent. It appears to extend along the west coast of Africa 

 as far as the Congo region, for Dr. Palkenstein sent specimens from the Loango coast, 

 which Dr. Reichenow has described as showing a great tendency to develop the characters 

 of H. senegalensis. Both species have been procured by Dr. Lucan and M. Louis Petit 

 at Landana, on the Congo, and it is quite possible that they interbreed in this locality. 



Monteiro's Swallow also extends its range into the provinces of Benguela and Mossa- 

 medes, where it has been procured by Senhor Anchieta at Biballa and Capangombe, and 

 the same explorer has procured it on the Biver Cunene. The late Mr. C. J. Andersson 

 met with the species at Ondonga in Ovampo Land, and a specimen in the British Museum 

 was shot by him at Elephant Vley. He observes : — " To the best of my knowledge this 

 fine Swallow (of which I first obtained a few individuals on the river Okavango in 1859) 

 never extends its migration so far south as Damara Land proper ; and, indeed, very few 

 individuals come much further south than the Okavango." 



On the eastern side of the continent this Swallow probably does not cross the 

 Zambesi. Sir John Kirk observed it " on the banks of the river Shire, away from 

 dwellings, flying near the water, and alighting on the clay banks, where it was observed 

 entering holes ; but whether these had originally been formed by Bee-eaters was not 

 ascertained." 



It would appear to be more plentiful to the northward. The late Dr. Bohm says 

 that it was common in the neighbourhood of Kakoma. He procured it in December, 

 February, and March, at this place, and specimens were in his last collection from Qua 

 Mpara, where he met with it in July in the mountain-forests, and also at Marungu, to 

 the westward of Lake Tanganyika. 



Sir John Kirk has procured it at Pangani and in the Usambara Hills, and it goes 

 as far north as Mombasa, having been met with here by the Bev. Mr. Wakefield. 

 Dr. Pischer states that he often saw it in the neighbourhood of Mombasa, mostly in pairs. 

 In the beginning of August he fell in with eight specimens sitting on a dead tree, some 



