bird of the two. It may be recognized by the velvety black of the back, this being 

 glossv green in P. obscura of West Africa. 



This is probably the "Martinet velocifere" of Levaillant's ' Oiseaux d'Afrique ' 

 (v. p. 147, pi. 244. fig. 2), named by Vieillot Sir undo velox (N. Diet. xiv. p. 533). As 

 Professor Sundevall has already pointed out in his critique on Levaillant's work (Krit. 

 Erarnst. Levaill. p. 51) there is no known Swift whicb answers to the description given 

 by the French traveller, and it is probable that he saw this Swallow in South Africa and 

 drew the figure from memory. 



In the Cape Colony it appears to be resident at least for the greater part of the 

 year. The late Mr. C. J. Andersson met with it at the Knysna in January; Victorin 

 procured it there in March and April, and again from July to November. In other 

 parts of the Colony it may be more or less migratory, as Mr. L. C. Layard notices its 

 arrival at Grootevadersbosch, in the Swellendam district, on the 5th of September. This 

 seems to be the most easterly range recorded for the species. 



Mr. E. L. Layard writes : — " This little Swallow first fell under our notice on the 

 Keurboom's River, Knysna district, where we saw it apparently breeding in holes in the 

 banks, but were unable to investigate its doings more closely. We found it abundantly 

 in the forest, hawking after flies over pools, frequently dipping into the water, and 

 perching on the overhanging boughs in clusters of six or eight, to dry themselves. Their 

 habit of perching is noted by Mr. Cairncross, who writes : — ' This bird flies about very 

 much like a bat (this resemblance also occurred to us when we saw it), amongst thick 

 forests, and is generally more visible in rainy, heavy weather ; but I have never seen or 

 heard of their breeding here (Swellendam). They remain here after the winter has set 

 in. Sometimes I have seen them roost on trees at the bottom of my garden, where I 

 shot the specimen sent.' " 



Mr. Layard also states that it is found throughout the wooded districts of the 

 Eastern province. He saw it near Grahamstown, the Kowie, Eish River bush, &c. In 

 the British Museum is a nestling obtained by Mr. E. C. Rickard at Bat's Cove, near 

 East London, in December, showing that the species breeds in that neighbourhood 

 during the latter month. Captain Trevelyan has also procured it in the Peri bush near 

 Kingwilliamstown. 



Mr. Thomas Ayres says that in Natal this species is common all the year round, but 

 he thinks not immediately on the coast. " They are generally to be seen two or three 

 together, searching for insects about the bushy valleys, and occasionally, though not 

 often, alighting to rest on some dead bough. Their food consists of minute beetles and 

 other insects." 



Captain Shelley, during his three months' trip to South Africa, found the present 

 species very plentiful about Pinetown, and occasionally to be met with at Durban. It 

 is a woodland bird, usually seen in small flocks, often perching on boughs on the shady 

 side of large trees. They appear to avoid the glare of the midday sun, feeding mostly 

 in the evening, often long after sunset. Mr. T. Ayres noticed the species in the Lyden- 



