ORIENTAL CHIMNEY SWALLOW. 173 



a matter of fact.* Would it not be advisable to make 

 this matter of fact certain before we dispute about an 

 idea? To do this we must know where the white and 

 rust-coloured SwalloAvs are known to dwell distinctly. 

 How far, and in what statistic relation, the one form 

 extends into the territory of the other, and in what 

 relation there is a proportion between the two forms. 

 We might then help each other to solve this riddle, 

 and then we shall have no difficulty in being certain 

 about the name." 



This paper I think clearly establishes the fact of the 

 identity of the variety which is the subject of the 

 present notice with the Chimney Swallow. They breed 

 together. Their habits and nidification are similar. 

 They only differ in the colour of the abdominal 

 plumage, in having a brighter black on the back, and 

 perhaps a broader black collar round the neck. 



The specimen sent me by Mr. Tristram, which I 

 have figured, and the measurements of which I have 

 given in my diagnosis, was killed in January, 1860, 

 in Egypt, by W. C. P. Medlycott, Esq. 



The plumage above is glossy black; below dark 

 chesnut, with a broad black collar round the neck. 

 Each of the tail feathers has a white spot on its inner 

 web, giving the appearance of a crescentic band when 

 viewed from beneath. 



It has also been figured by Audouin, in plate 4, fig. 4, 

 of his "Expedition to Egypt." The drawings in this 

 work were done by M. Savigny, after whom Stephens, 

 in his edition of "Shaw's Zoology," named the bird. 



* I append the German text of this passage : — "Oder endlich gar Localformen 

 ein und derselben art? Aber ist das nieht ein Name ohne alle tiefere 

 philosophische oder physiologische Bedeutung ! Vielleicht um so besser, 

 wenn die Philosophic oder Physiologie auf schvvachen Fussen steht. Eine 

 thatsachliche Bezeichnung erinnert doch wenigstcns an einen Thatbestand." 



