224 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Hirundo rustica, Linn. Swallow. — Frequently observed in 

 Switzerland. Common summer visitor to Ireland. 



General distribution. — Over Europe,* and the greater part of 

 Asia and North Africa in summer, migrating to India as far 

 east as Burma, and all over Africa in winter. This bird is 

 subject to a variety of foreign representatives, especially those 

 connecting the Old with the New World (American) forms (vide 

 R. B. Sharpe's Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. vol. x.). 



Chelidon urbica, Linn. House Martin. — Frequent in Switzer- 

 land. Common summer visitor to Ireland. 



General distribution. — Much the same as the last species, 

 but, according to Saunders, it seems to winter in Central Africa. 

 (In Europe it is rare in the Basque Provinces.) 



Order Picari^e. 



Cypselus apus, Linn. Swift. — Common in Switzerland and in 

 Ireland (except the west) in the summer. 



General distribution. — Abundant in Europe in summer. Also 

 found in Asia and North Africa at the same time of year. In 

 these parts, however, there are racial differences. On the winter 

 migration it visits India and South Africa. According to Saunders 

 it has occurred at the Andaman Islands. 



C. melba, Linn. Alpine Swift. — Observed in two distinct 

 localities in Switzerland : (a) at a high latitude at Grindelwald ; 

 (b) in the town and valley of Lucerne. In the latter place many 

 Alpine Swifts, in company with the common species, were 

 observed flying round an old tower close to the town bridge over 

 Lake of Lucerne. These birds often flew under the eaves of the 

 building, disappearing for a few minutes, and then flying out 

 again. They were evidently nesting there. Extremely rare in 

 Ireland. Thompson ('Birds of Ireland') records three speci- 

 mens. For occurrences see also ' List of Irish Birds,' by the 

 late A. G. More, p. 17 ; and Saunders's ' Manual,' p. 263. 



General distribution. — Frequents the high mountains of 

 Central and Southern Europe in summer ; also North Africa, 

 West and South-west Asia. In winter it migrates to Central 

 India (especially Ceylon), and as far as South Africa. 



N.B. — This Swift can be distinguished from the common 

 * Breeds as high north as 70° N. lat. in Scanaanavia, 



