Of exotic species of swallows the Hirundo rustica takes the place in Europe of our barn swallow. On account of its frequent use of disused chimneys for nesting places this spe cies shares with the swifts the name of chimney swallow. The migration of these birds has al ways attracted attention from the well-known and unvarying character of their movements. They fly southward at the end of October or sometimes sooner, to winter in Africa, some finding their way to India. The majority arrive in Great Britain in April, some stragglers later and a few coming before the great body of birds. They generally return to the nests they have constructed the previous year. The house martin (Chelidon urbica) with the tarsi and toes feathered is of small size. It is of smaller size than the common swallows, and builds its nest under the eaves of houses, in the corners of windows, etc., the nest being a hemispheri cal structure of clay, with a round opening for entrance. A related species is the fairy mar tin (C. add), found in South Australia, where it arrives in August, leaving again in Septem ber or October. The nest, built in some tree,
under eaves or in rocks, is formed of mud, and is of flask-like shape. Each nest appears to be built by a number of these swallows. The wire-tailed swallow (C. filif era) of Abys sinia is so named from the presence of the two elongated tail-feathers, which, being un provided with a web, consist of the shafts of the feathers alone, and appear as long fila ments. The genus Atticora includes the white breasted swallow of South America (Atticora cyanoleuca), which makes its nest in the de serted burrows of animals. A number of other South American swallows have similar habits, occupying the nests or holes of various birds and mammals.
Consult Sharpe and Wyatt,