SwWALLow. INSECTIVORI. HIRUNDO. 125 
verts bright grass-green ; greater coverts pale orpiment- 
orange. Outer webs of the quills and tertials fine 
greenish-blue ; in some shades greyish-blue. Tail green- 
ish-blue; the two middle feathers darker, elongated, 
and pointed. From each corner of the mouth runs a 
black streak, passing the eyes, and through the ear co- 
verts, which, at its posterior extremity, joins a narrow 
black ring, that encircles the neck. Throat bright 
king’s-yellow. 
Breast and belly greenish-blue. Legs very short, of a 
blackish-brown colour. Irides red. 
The colours of the female are not so bright in tint as those 
of the male. 
Orver VI. INSECTIVOROUS. INSECTI- 
VORI. 
CHARACTERS OF THE ORDER. 
Bill very short, much depressed, upper mandible deflected 
at the tip; gape very wide. Wings very long, and acu- 
minated. Legs very short. Feet with three toes before and 
one behind, entirely divided, or united at the base by a mem- 
brane, the hind toe being in some instances reversible. 
AlJl the genera of this order are strictly insectivorous, ta- 
king no other kind of food. heir flight is very rapid, and 
can be supported without rest for a great length of time. 
They feed entirely upon wing. 
Genus XIX. SWALLOW. HIRUNDO, Linn. 
GENERIC CHARACTERS. 
Bill short, much depressed, and wide at the base; upper 
mandible bent at the tip, and carinated. Gape extending as 
far backwards as the eyes. Nostrils basal, and oblong, part- 
