RUFOUS SAVALLOW. 
181 
Daurica : — “II. riifula ( Daurica ) is still more singular 
in its niclification, always fixing its nest under a cave 
or projecting slab of rock. In the little Klissoura, 
and tlirougliout the precipices of ikracyntlius, there 
are plenty of these caves, in former times a convenient 
refuge for the Klephtsas; they are uoav for shepherds 
tending their flocks during the Avinter months. This 
eccentric SAvalloAV, not satisfied Avith having a good 
dry caA’e all to himself, must needs construct a long 
passage to his nest; thus giving it the shape of a retort, 
Avith the upper part cut aAvay, and the remaining 
portion glued underneath a flat surface. The entrance 
is narroAV, but the passage gradually Avidens till it 
finally opens iirto a sort of chamber, very Avarmly lined 
Avith feathers; here the little fellow and his mate are 
sure to be most snugly tucked in just after sundoAvn, 
when they cannot see to catch any more insects. 
Escape therefore is impossible Avhen a ruthless orni- 
thologist wishes to capture the pair for the sake of 
identifying their eggs. No more than one pair ev^er 
seem to occupy a cave, though the remains of previous 
nests could occasionally be traced on the roof. The 
same pair appear to return year after year, and their 
nest, unless injured by shepherd boys during the 
Avinter, will merely require a little touching up to 
render it again habitable. The fact of the same birds 
returning Avas proA'ed by these caves being untenanted, 
where the pair had been captured during the preceding 
year. Several nests Avith eggs Avere found toAvards the 
end of May and beginning of June, 1859. Four seems 
about the complement; they are quite Avhite, much 
resembling eggs of H. urhica, Avhich could be Avell 
passed off* for them in collections. 
“A curious circumstance in connection Avith one of 
