126 INSECTIVORI. HIRUNDO. SwALLow. 
ly covered by a membrane. Feet having the tarsi short, 
toes slender, three before and one behind ; the outer toe unt- 
ted to the middle one, as far as the first joint. Tail of twelve 
feathers, generally forked. Wings long and acuminated, the 
first quill-feather being the longest. 
The species of this genus are very numerous, and are 
spread throughout every part of the globe. Their food con- 
sists entirely of winged insects, which they seize with great 
dexterity during their flight. That flight is very rapid and 
buoyant, and is supported for a long time, without visible 
' fatigue. The nidification of many of the genus is curious 
Periodical 
visltant. 
and peculiar; the exterior coat of the nest being compact and 
hard, generally formed of clay, or earthy materials; and the 
inner part lined with feathers and other soft substances. They 
moult but once in the year, which takes place in February, 
and proves the impossibility of the hybernation of these 
birds. 
The British species are migratory. : 
- Chimney Swallow.—Hirundo rustica, Linn 
PLATE 42. Fig. 1. 
Hirundo rustica, Linn. Syst. 1. p. 343. 1.—Gmel. Syst. 1. p. 1015.—Lath. 
Ind. Ornith. v. 2. p. 572. 
Hirundo domestica, Raii, Syn. p. 71. A. 1.—Will. p. 155. t. 39.—Briss. 2. 
p. 486. 1. 
Hirondelle de Cheminée ou domestique, Buff: Ois. v. 6. p. 591. t. 25. f. 1. 
—lId. Pl. Enl. 543. f. 1.—Temm. Man. d’Ornith. v. 1. p. 427. 
Die Hach Schwalbe, Bechst. Naturg. Deut. v.3. p.902.—Meyer, Tasschenb. 
v. 1. p. 276. 
Chimney or Common Swallow, Br. Zool. 1. No. 168. t. 58.—Arct. Zool. 2. 
No. 330.—Will. (Ang.) p. 212.—Albin. 1. t. 45.—Lewin’s Br. Birds, 3. 
t. 123.—Lath. Syn. 4. p. 561.—/d. Supp. p. 192.— Mont. Ornith. Dict.— 
Id. Sup.—Bewick’s Br. Birds, 1. p. t. 261.—Low’s Faun. Orcad. p. 73.— 
Shaws Zool. v. 10. p. 84.— Wale. Syn. 2. t. 251.—Pult. Cat. Dorset. p. 13. 
‘The Chimney Swallow generally makes its appearance in 
the south of England early in April, but is seldom seen in 
the northern counties, or in Scotland, before the middle or 
latter part of that month. After incubation, and when the 
1 
