SWALLOWS 135 



Africa, making a cup-shaped nest of mud on a beam of an 

 outhouse, or under an overhanging bank or rock, and lays 

 three or four eggs of a white ground spotted with pinkish- 

 brown and yellowish. 



QIhe Pearl-breasted Swallow {H. dimidiata) is smaller than 

 the preceding species, and has no red on the forehead. It 

 builds a cup-shaped nest against a rock or wall. 



The Larger Stripe-breasted Swallow {H. cucullata) and 

 its smaller congener {H. puelld) are blue above and have 

 the head and rump of a brick-red colour : whitish below 

 streaked with brown shaft-stripes. The latter- bird differs 

 from the former ia being smaller, the shaft-streaks being 

 broader and the lower back and rump being darker red. 

 Length, 7 J inches. 



Both construct mud nests of a globular shape with a 

 long entrance tunnel, the larger species preferring a beam 

 in an outhouse, or a skirting board on a verandah, whereas 

 the smaller bird usually places its smaller nest under an 

 overhanging rock. They lay pure white eggs. 



The Ked-breasted Swallow {H. semirufa) is easily recog- 

 nisable by its entire under surface being of a rich chestnut 

 colour. 



It constructs a nest much like that of the Stripe-breasted 

 Swallow, and lays white eggs. 



The Cliff Swallow {Petrochelidon spilodera) is the last 

 representative of the fanoily. It somewhat resembles the 

 Lesser Stripe-breasted Swallow in coloration, but has a 

 white chin, and pale reddish throat followed by a blackish 

 band with white spots ; rest of under surface white, except 

 the vent regions, which are reddish. 



This is a common bird in the Orange Free State, where 

 it usually builds in colonies against the walls of houses. At 



