HIEUNDO EUSTICA. 



591 



breeding- season, although it does commence it before leaving in March. Scores of these birds may be seen 

 perched on the telegraph-wire crossing the " Lotus-pond" at Colombo, a spot which furnishes a never-failing 

 supply of insects ; and they may frequently, as in other countries, be observed seated on roofs or on some little 

 eminence on the ground. As is the case in England, before leaving the island they collect in flocks, but of much 

 fewer numbers, as there are no young birds to congregate together. Few birds enjoy such an immunity from 

 persecution as the Swallow ; it is rarely shot except by those who are really in want of skins for scientific 

 purposes. Favier has an interesting note with reference to the Moors and the Swallow j he says " the Moors 

 believe it offends God to kill these birds ; in the same way they believe it pleases or soothes the Evil One to 

 kill the Raven. The stories on which this superstition is founded are too long to relate ; but I was informed 

 by one person that the Swallow and White Storks were inspired by Allah to protect the harvest and the 

 country from noxious insects and reptiles, and that the birds themselves (knowing the benefits they confer on 

 man) ask in return protection for their offspring by building their nests on the walls of towns and houses." 



Nidification. — In India and on its northern confines (the only region we have to do with, as regards its 

 nesting, in this work) the Swallow breeds during May and June. To the south of the Himalayas it breeds 

 along the whole chain, from Cabool to Assam, at from 4000 to 7000 feet ; it has been known to nest at Simla, 

 Murree, Darjiling, Dhurumsalla, and at Asaloo on the Naga hills, in which latter place Col. Godwin-Austen 

 observed it. In Turkestan, according to Dr. Scully, it makes a mud nest on the roofs of houses, the number 

 of eggs laid being three or four. 



The Swallow's nest is familiar to every Englishman ; made of little pellets of mud brought by the birds 

 in their mouths from the neighbouring brooks, ponds, or muddy roads, and fixed to the side of a beam or 

 rafter, or against a wall, generally below the eaves, it is quite a work of art. It is very strong and durable ; the 

 very bottom foundation (as is only right and proper in architecture) is commenced first, the sides are then 

 proceeded with, and then the bowed out part commenced and carefully worked at till the semicircle is complete. 

 The interior is lined with a little grass and then with feathers, on which the eggs repose. The number of 

 eggs is usually four, pure white, spotted all over with moderately sized specks, blotches, and spots of brownish 

 red. Mr. Hume describes some taken in the Himalayas, where the bird builds in the corners of verandahs, 

 as freckled and mottled all over with small specks of pale brownish red. The average size of seventeen eggs 

 taken in India was 0'76 by O'oS inch. 



The subjoined woodcuts of the bill, wing, and foot of the Swift and of the Swallow will, I hope, illustrate 

 to my non-scientific readers the distinguishing characters I have alluded to in this article. The wings are 

 reduced, but the heads and feet are of the natural size. 



Swift (Cypselus affinis). 



Swallow" (Hirundo rustiea). 



