1840.] 



of the Peninsula of India. 



237 



jungle of the western coast. It frequently perches on bare and leafless 

 trees. While on the wing it has a somewhat loud parrot-like cry, very 

 different from that of the other species. 



Irides deep brown ; bill black; legs bluish black ; soles of feet red- 

 dish T^hite. Length about 10 inches; wings 6; tail 5; li inch longer 

 than the wings. 



The female differs from the male in having black ears instead of 

 ynfous, and in having a white streak along the gape. The elegant 

 frontal crest of this species is frequently raised when the bird is 

 sitting. 



Genus HIRUNDO, L.^Swallow, 



258. — H. Jezran, Sykes. — U.Javanka, Lath.? — Common SwnVow^ 

 This is perhaj'S the most generally spread, and abundant of the Indian 



Swallows, being found in all parts of the country, frequenting both the 

 neighbourhood of water, and open plains and gardens. It appears to 

 differ but very slightly from the European swallow. I do not know if it 

 breeds in this country, but think not ; and it certainly disappears from 

 some places during the hot season and monsoon. If it does not breed 

 in the North of India, it probably spreads over the north of the Asiatic 

 continent. 



Length 7?; wing 4f ; tail beyond I -^ths j from base 4. 



259. — -ST. Erythropygia, Sykes.— Red^rumped Swallow* 



This Swallow in general, prefers the proximity of jungles. I saw it 

 in Goomsoor, in the jungles round the Neilgherries (and also on the 

 summit of the hilK^), in various other parts of the west coast, and in 

 the Carnatic, at the Tapoor pass. In the northern part of the table land, 

 how ever, I have seen it occasionally in the cold weather only, both la 

 the neighbourhood of water and on dry open plains. It often is seen 



• in the jungles it frequents, seated in great numbers on a tree. Mr, 

 Elliot says of this species " flies after insects, and when its mouth is 

 full sits on a tree to devour them." This bird varies a good deal in 



• size. My specimens vary from 6 to 7^ inches long, of one of the latter 

 the wing is 4^ ; and tail nearly 4. 



260. — H.filifera, Stephens. — H. flicaudata, Frankl. Cat. — Leishra, 

 H. — Wire-tailed Swallow. 



This, by far the most elegant of its genus, is only found towards the 

 more southern portion of the peninsula, about water. In the more 



