154 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



bare ground, others construct fabrics of clay ; and in some the chief 

 component of the nest is a secretion from the bird itself. 



In anatomical structure they of course present considerable 

 differences. In most, the sternum has a large double emargination 

 on each side, in some only one, and in others none whatever. The 

 intestinal canal is generally short ; the stomach more or less muscu- 

 lar; and they either possess no coeca at all, or two highly developed 

 ones. Few of them possess the singing muscles, and they are 

 consequently unable to inflect their voice. 



The Indian birds of this tribe are divided into the following fami- 

 lies : — 1st, HirundinidcB, Swallows and Swifts ; 2nd, Caprimulgida, 

 Goat-suckers; 3n7, Trogonidoe, Trogons; 4^th, Meropidce, Bee-eaters; 

 5th, Coraciadw, Rollers; 6th, Halcyonidce, Kingfishers; 1th, Bucero- 

 tid<E, Hornbills ; and lastly, Eurylaimida, or Broad bills. Three other 

 groups occur in America, vis". Galbulidce, Mmnotidoe, and Bucconidce. 



Fam. HiRUNDINIDiE. 



Syn. Chelidones, of some. 



Bill short, broad at the base, depressed, compressed at the tip, 

 more or less curved, not notched ; gape very wide ; wings long, 

 pointed ; tarsi short ; feet feeble ; hind toe short. 



The Swallows and Swifts are well known and familiar birds, 

 many of which habitually associate in vast flocks, and several 

 perform periodical migrations to the north during summer 

 to breed, returning in winter to warmer regions. They live 

 almost entirely on insects which they capture in the air, and for 

 this purpose their mouth is enormously wide, though their bill 

 is small. They are divided into two families, the Swallows, 

 and the Swifts. Some naturalists, Prince Bonaparte, Mr. Blyth, 

 and others, separate these two families, not allowing any affinity 

 between them, chiefly on anatomical grounds, placing the Swifts 

 next to the Humming Birds. Most of our modern English 

 systematists, however, Gray and Ilorsfield in England, Van 

 Hoeven and Kaup abroad, and a host of others, do not allow 

 these anatomical points, which will be spoken of hereafter, under 

 each group, to weigh against the general conformity of external 



