450 
+ 
the breast as in American examples, but somewhat inclining to connect; but they differ from these 
latter in having the underparts very white, and with some slight hesitation I refer them to H. rustica. 
Although I have had the opportunity of examining a large series of specimens of Hirundo horreorum in 
Mr. Salvin’s collection, I will not refer further to this species beyond saying that it appears to me that 
this form alone inhabits both North and South America. Professor Baird separates Hirundo erythro- 
gaster from Peru; but an examination of Mr. Salvin’s specimens confirms me in the opinion that this 
supposed species is merely immature H. horreorum in winter dress. 
The conclusion at which I arrive, after having examined the above series, is, that throughout Europe and 
Africa the ordinary form of Hirundo rustica is found, there being in North-east Africa and Palestine a 
distinct resident species (H. savignit) differing in having the underparts rich chestnut-red. In Asia 
the Swallow gradually approaches the American form towards the east, until in Eastern Siberia one 
finds true H. horreorum; but otherwise the common Swallow of Asia is H. rustica, excepting that 
perhaps H. tytleri may possibly be a good species, though, judging from the specimens I have examined, 
it appears to me probable that this title will smk into a synonym of H. horreorum. Unfortunately I 
have had only one or two examples of H. tytlert to examine, and am therefore unable to decide this 
question; but should it prove from an examination of a series of specimens that it does not have the 
dark band continuous across the chest, there will then be no character by which it can be distinguished 
from the American form. 
THE range of our common European Swallow is much more extensive than has generally been 
supposed; for it is met with throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia, being, however, to some 
extent replaced in Eastern Asia by the closely allied American Swallow, Hirundo horreorum, 
which I cannot but treat as a distinct species, though it does not differ very widely from Hirundo 
rustica, being more rufous on the under surface of the body, and the band across the breast is 
not, as in the latter species, clearly defined, but is interrupted in the centre by rusty red. 
In Great Britain it is a numerous summer visitant, and occurs up as high as the northern 
parts of Scotland, but does not appear to breed in the Outer Hebrides. Mr. Cecil Smith informs 
me that it is as common on the Channel Islands as on the mainland; and it is stated to be as 
numerous in Ireland as elsewhere. Mr. Robert Gray writes (B. of W. of Scotl. p. 205), “it 
does not appear to remain to breed in the Outer Hebrides; but specimens are seen there every 
year. I have observed it in North Uist, Benbecula, and South Uist; and Captain Feilden 
informs me that he saw it in Barra on the 8th May, 1870. Mr. Harvie-Brown aiso observed it 
near Lochmaddy on the same day. Its visits to the remoter islands are generally made early in 
the season, and can only be looked upon as the results of a restless flight before the birds settle 
in their breeding-quarters. In the Inner Hebrides its stay extends over the summer; it is 
common in Mull and Iona, in Skye, Rum, Tyree, Coll, and probably all the smaller isles.” 
It is not known to occur in Greenland, and is only a rare straggler in Iceland, never 
remaining to breed; and, according to Captain Feilden, it appears in the Freroes in considerable 
numbers in May, but has never been observed nesting there. It is common in Scandinayia ; and 
Mr. Collett says that it breeds throughout Norway up to about the arctic circle, above which it 
is seen as a straggler, but does not appear to breed. However, Nordvi states that it bred at 
Vadso, in Kast Finmark, in 1866, and Esmark records it as having nested at Svanevig, on the 
Pasvig Elv. In Sweden it is a common summer visitant, arriving about the 22nd or 26th April, 
or sometimes not till early in May, and leaving early in October. It breeds commonly through- 
