104 



HIRDXDlMDyE. 



Length. — 4'2o inches, wing 3"5, tail ]"75. 



Hab. — India generally ; rare in the south, numerous in Sind, 

 Punjab, N. W. Provinces, Bengal, and Nepaul ; also in Kutch, Kattia- 

 war, Jodhpore, North Guzerat, the Deccan and Concan. It is recorded 

 from N, Pegu and the Indo-Burmese countries to China. In Sind it is 

 a resident, and breeds at Buggatora and upwards, towards, and beyond 

 Sehwan, in holes in the river banks, about January. 



Cotyle obsoleta, Cab. Mns. Hein. Th. i. p. 50 ; Sharpe, P. Z. 8. 

 1870, p. 30] ; Blanf. Ibis. 1873, p. 214. Ptyonoprogne pallida, Hume, 

 Str. F. vol. i. p. 1. 417; Murray, Hdbk'., Zoul, 8fc., Sind, p. 124.— The 

 Pale Crag-Maetin. 



The whole upper surface a very pale greyish earthy brown, very 

 much paler than the same parts in either P. rupesfris or Gotyle sinensis, 

 the quills only slightly darker, yet sufficiently so to contrast pretty 

 markedly with the scapulars, back, rump, and upper tail-coverts; the 

 lateral tail feathers and all but the external feather on each side, with a 

 large oval white spot on the inner web, as in rupestris, and with dark 

 shafts, and a darker tint on the web, near the shaft, as in that latter 

 species. Lower surface as in rupestris, but much paler, the whole of 

 the chin, throat, breast, and abdomen being white with only a faint 

 fulvous or rufous tinge ; wing lining and lower tail-coverts, the same 

 pale earthy grey'brown as the upper surface. Bill black ; legs and feet 

 horny brown; irides dark brown. (Hume, S. F. vol. 1, p. 417.) 



Male, length. — 535 to 6 inches, expanse 12-25 to 13, wing 4'4 to 

 4-7. Female, length 5'25 to 5"5, expanse ] 2'3, wing 4-5 to 4' 75, tail from 

 vent 1'8 to 2, tarsus 0'4. 



Hab. — N. E. Africa ; found also in Beloochistan, Kutch and N. 

 Guzerat. In Sind it is less common than the preceding species, and 

 generally affects hilly situations ; arrives during winter. 



Sub-Family, CYPSBLINJi;. 



Wings very long and curved, scimitar like; toes short, hinder ones 

 generally directed forwards ; claws curved and sharp. 



Gen. Cypselus.— II liger. 



Bill with the sides gradually compressed to the tip ; nostrils partially 

 feathered ; second quill longest ; tail generally forked ; tarsi short, 

 plumed to the toes; toes all directed forward. 



Cypselus melba, Linn.; Edw.; B. pi. 27; Naum. vogt. 147, i.; 

 Gould. B. Liir. pi. 53, 2 ; Jerd. B. Ind. p. 175, No. 98 ; Murray, Hdbk., 

 Zoul., Sfc, Sind, p. 124. — The Alpine Swift. 



Above wood-brown, glossy purple on the back; wings darker brown; 

 under surface white, except a broad dusky bar across the breast; 

 rump, on the sides, under tail-coverts and tarsal plumes brown; bill 

 black; irides deep brown; toes brown with an orange tinge. 



Length.— 8 to 9 inches, wing 8-5 to 8-75, 2-5 inches beyond the tip 

 of the tail, which is forked, and 3 inches in length; outer feathers 3- 75. 



