HIRUNDO RUSTICA. 



CHIMNEY SWALLOW. 



Generic Character. 



Bill fhort, broad at the bafe, tip curving. 

 Noftrils open. 



Tongue fhort, broad, bifid. 

 Tail forked. 



Toes three before, one behind. 



Synonyms. 



Hirundo Rustica. Lin. Syft. 1. p, 343. 1. 

 Chimney or Common Swallow. Br. Zool. 1. 168* 



''tab. 58. lb. fol. 96. Lath. Syn. 4. p. 561. Ib. 



fupt. p. 192. Mont. Orn. T)icl. Bewick's Br. 



Birds ) Pt. 1. p. 256. 



r JL^H I S well known fpecies is in length from feven to eight 

 inches, and in breadth from twelve to fourteen inches, and 

 weighs about half an ounce ; bill fhort, the point fmall, and a 

 little bending ; eyes hazel ; tail long and very forked ; legs 

 very flender. Colours alike in both fexes ; the outer tail 

 feathers in the female, are fhorter by about one-fourth than 

 in the male. 



Few birds are better known than the prefent, as it always 

 attaches itfelf to the habitations of man, building ufually 

 in chimneys, from which circumftance it has taken its name ; 

 the n|ft is compofed of mud, hair, and ft raw, and is invariably 

 lined with feathers ; it is curioufly plaiftered together, with an 



opening 



