THE JAVAN SWALLOW 
Hxrundo jazauica abbotti {Oberh.) 
Malay tmnu : — Layang layang. 
Description: — In general appearance ihis bird is very like 
the European chimney-swallow. 
The upper parts are glossy black with a bluish tinge, the 
forehead, chin and throat chestnut and the underparts pale ashy 
colonr turning whitish on the abdomen. When the tail is 
spread it can be seen that the tail quills are decorated with 
white spots just like a row of buttons. 
Total length about 5 inches; wing just over 4 inches. 
Distribution :—Thh swallow is found in India, the Malay 
Peninsula, throuji^hout the Malaysuin IsJands and eastwards 
even as far as New Guinea. 
Status in Singapore : — Two distinct species of swallows 
are found in Singapore, They fraternize and are often found 
flying in the same flock and indeed sitting side by side on the 
telephone wires and other favourite perches. One of these 
is the eastern representative of the well-known European swal- 
low. We may well call it the Eastern swallow {Hirundo 
rusiica gNtttralis) : it is distingidshed from the Javan swallow 
by its much longer tail, whitish underparis, and the presence 
of a blackish patch between the chestnut throat and w^hite 
breast, H. jftvautca has a relatively shorter tail and dark 
brownish grey underparts. Both species have a chestnut 
throat. The javan swallow is resident in this part of the 
world : the white breasted bird is ptirely migratory, not 
breeding in Malaya. 
Fidd Notes.— no other swallow-like birds arc met with 
in Singapore the two species mentioned above should be readily 
identified, 
0 th ar habits : — ^^The Javan sw^allow has the habits more or 
less common to the typical swallows, It catches its insect food 
on the wing and constructs a cup-like mud nest which is usually-, 
attached to a human habitation. The eggs are white, spottecT 
wnth brown and greyish brown. 
