HO CASSELL'S BOOK OF BIRDS. 



of the body is of a glossy blueish black, with the exception of the rump and a ring round the 

 neck, which are reddish brown ; the under side is entirely of the latter hue, somewhat paler upon 

 the throat and upper part of the breast. This very large species inhabits Central Africa in great 

 numbers, and is met with from the western coast to the shores of the Red Sea. In its mode of 

 life and habits it so closely resembles the Chimney Swallow that a description of its habits would 

 be mere repetition ; unlike that bird, however, it does not always dwell in the immediate vicinity 

 of man, but frequently wanders forth and lives upon the vast and barren steppes. Another very 

 similar species is found in Angola and at the Cape of Good Hope. 



THE THREAD-TAILED SWALLOW. 



The Thread-tailed Swallow (Cecropis-Uromitus-filifera) is a small and delicate bird, easily 

 recognisable by the long threads in which the two outer feathers of the tail terminate. The upper 

 part of the body is of a beautiful metallic blue, the top of the head rust-red, the region of the cheeks 

 black, the under side white, and the tail spotted with white. The length of this species is five, 

 and its breadth eleven inches. The thread-like appendages are not so long in the tail of the female 

 as in that of her mate. This singular bird principally frequents India and Central Africa, and we 

 have met with it living solitarily or in pairs during our travels in Nubia. As far as we were able to 

 ascertain, its habits exactly correspond with our account of its European congener. The Indians 

 call this species " Leischra," as the threads attached to the tail are supposed to resemble the grass 

 known by that name. 



THE MARTIN. 



The Martin or Roof Swallow (Chelidon urbica) we have selected as the type of a group, 

 recognisable by their slightly forked tail and strong feet, the toes of which are connected from the 

 first joint, and, like the tarsi, are thickly covered with feathers. This bir.d is five inches and a half 

 long, and ten and three-quarters broad ; the wing measures four inches, and the tail two and a half. 

 Upon the back the plumage is almost entirely of an uniform blueish black ; the under side and 

 rump are white. The eye is dark brown, the beak black, and the bare parts of the foot black. 

 Both sexes are alike in colour, but the plumage of the young is less clear in its tints than that of the 

 adult. The Martin inhabits the whole of Europe, and penetrates further north than the Chimney 

 Swallow ; it is numerous in Siberia, and during its migrations visits the interior of Africa and 

 Southern Asia. In most respects it closely resembles the species already described, but is somewhat 

 less .brisk and intelligent ; its flight also is not so rapid and varied as that of the Chimney Swallow, 

 but it frequently soars to an enormous height in pursuit of the insects upon which it subsists. Its 

 voice is very far inferior to that of the rest of its family, and its cry monotonous and harsh. 



In populous districts the nests of this bird are invariably constructed upon houses, but where 

 human habitations are scarce, the Roof Swallow is content to make its preparations upon rocks, 

 or any situation that will afford it a secure shelter from the wind and rain. The nest is very similar 

 to that of the Chimney Swallow, but with this difference, that it is always built against a hole, and 

 has no external entrance ; sometimes many pairs construct their dwellings under the same eaves 

 or the same rock, and thus form a kind of settlement. Although usually peaceful, during the 

 breeding season disputes and battles are of constant occurrence ; each couple naturally endeavouring 

 to obtain the snuggest comer, and to oust its neighbour should the opportunity offer. The brood 

 consists of from four to six delicate snow-white eggs, and the nestlings are hatched in about 

 twelve days: The female alone broods, and is fed by her mate only when the weather is fine ; the 

 young also frequently have but an insufficient supply of food, owing to the difficulty of procuring 

 insects when the season is inclement, and thus must very often be left behind when the flocks 



