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THE SWALLOW. 29 
FAMILY HIRUNDINIDA. 
EEBOHM widely dissevers the Swallows from the Flycatchers, placing them 
immediately after the Buntings; possibly because of the fact that they only 
possess nine primaries: he says that they “are distinguished by their long pointed 
wings, slender, wide bills, and small legs and feet. They have no bastard primary, 
and the second primary is generally the longest. The tarsus is scutellated in 
front, and the tail is generally forked. The most marked feature in the Swallows 
is that they have no autumn moult, their new dress being assumed in February.” 
The broad bill, small feet, and long pointed wings of the Swallows, appear to 
me to show some affinity to the Flycatchers; whilst I find that Hlemuechelidon fult- 
ginosus, which Jerdon placed among the most typical Flycatchers of India, is said 
to have ‘‘ very much the aspect of a Swallow, both in colour and structure”’ (Birds 
of India, Vol. I, p. 458). That certainly seems a hardly natural classification, which 
interposes the whole of the Crows, Waxwings, Starlings, and Finches, between two 
groups of birds so similar in their methods of feeding, and so eminently fitted for 
an aerial existence as the Flycatchers and Swallows. 
The Airundinide constitute a large, interesting, and widely distributed family 
of very beautiful birds; their nests, familiar to everyone, are triumphs of skill and 
perseverance; and, as regards our three British species, show good distinctive 
features. 
Although it would hardly be supposed that Swallows were suitable subjects 
for aviculture; attempts have been made, with varying success, to keep the whole 
of our three species: but, to preserve the health of such active birds, a great deal 
of exercise is a necessity, and a very large aviary a consequent requisite: as cage- 
birds, Swallows quickly succumb to indigestion from over-feeding, and lack of 
exertion. 
