BIRDS IN. SINGAPORE. 81 
Swallows and swifts are abundant here and are collectively 
known to the Malays as “ Laiang.” The common swallow (Hirun- 
do gutturalis) very closely resembles, and indeed is hardly distinct 
from the English swallow A. rustica. It israther smaller, with the 
under parts whiter, and the black collar round its throat is in- 
complete, but the common form inthe gardens is really inter- 
mediate between the two, for while it has all the other characters 
of the Eastern swallow, H. gutturalis, the collar is quite complete 
apd very broad. It remains with us all the year, but I have 
not found its nest. Weare accustomed in England to foretell 
rain by the low flight of the swallows. Here, however, this is no 
clue, the height at which the swallows fly depending on the in- 
sects on which it feeds, which do not keep near the earth be- 
fore rain, as they do in England. The termites frequently 
swarm during wet weather, especially indeed during heavy rain, 
and the swallows and swifts, with many other birds, and dragon- 
flies, come to feast on them. As the swarm gradually rises 
into the air the birds rise with them, and fly high or low accord- 
ing as the termites do. The Palm-swift (Tachyornis infumatus) 
is usually very plentiful, a most graceful and quick little bird, 
entirely blackin colour. The nest, which is very small and cup- 
shaped, is fastened to the under-side of the leaf of a fan palm in 
such a manner that the little bird has to sit upon it with its 
breast pressed closely to the leaf, its body being almost parallel 
to it. The eggs are very small and pure white. The Edible- 
nest swift (Collocalia Linchi) occasionally appears in the gardens 
asa visitant, but of course does not nest anywhere near 
Singapore. 
The large swift (Cypselus subfurcatus) a black bird, with a 
white bar above the tail, is very common and conspicuous. It 
nests beneath verandahs and such places, making a colony of 
nests of mud, grass, bents, feathers, etc., in a very untidy manner. 
It isa very large and rapid bird, but less so than the great 
spine-tailed swifts (Chetura) which may from time to time be 
seen flying over the gardens, usually at a great height; 
they are abundant at times on Bukit Timah, where they can be 
seen dashing past the bungalow often in great numbers. These 
spine-tailed swifts are probably the fastest flyers in the world. 
The Roller (Zurystomus orientalis) is often to be seen sitting 
on the topmost branches of the trees, and with its deep blue 
