over th e fore n e ck and breast seems to vary so m uch in C. pahidicola th a t th e distinctions
we drew in th e ‘ Catalogue of Birds ’ between tlie two forms, res tin g on tb is character,
appear to us now to be undeserving of m uch credit. The grey on th e th ro a t may also
prove to be due to seasonal changes, and in th a t case th ere will be n o th in g b u t the
smaller size by which C. minor can be recognized.
The late Baron von H eu g lin gave th e following account of th is species iu his ‘ Orni-
thologie Nordost Afrika’s ’ : —
“ This little Bank-Swallow is common from c e n tra l E g y p t a lo n g the whole of the
Nile, as Avell as iu Abyssinia. I t breeds in E g y p t and Nu b ia iu small and larg e flocks,
between th e months o f F e b ru a ry and May, and also a t th e tim e Avhen th e water is lowest.
The nest-holes resemble those of C. ripai'ia, b u t are g enerally n o t so deep, and, according
to Brehm, are often very n e a r to g eth er, and always in th e perpendicular allu v ium walls
o f th e banks.
“ As early as J u n e or J u ly th e old and young birds assemble in large flocks, flying
backwards an d forwards along th e water, and often settling ou th e shore or on sandbanks.
In September these little birds m ig ra te southwards, swarming more especially
in tlie evening, and passing in a dense cloud across th e Blue aud W h ite Niles a t Kh a rtoum,
falling iu countless mu ltitu d e s on th e fields of Sorgho, Avhere they often pass the
n ig h t in company w ith Sand-AIartins, Chimney-Swallows, an d AVagtails. Some of the
E urope ans keep a sharp look-out for th em a t this time, and each year hundreds o f these
harmless little birds a re tak en with the hand, to be utilized for k itch en requirements.
I have also observed th e species in September and October on tb e D;inakil and Somali
“ A s late as December 18C2, wq found a n est of th e p resent species in a burrow,
ab o u t one or two feet in depth, in th e high b a n k of the Asain a t Adowa. I t consisted
of dry grasses, aud contained th re e eggs, nearly ready to hatcii.”
Air. AV. T. Blanford sta te s th a t ho saw th is Sand-AIartin in countless swarms ou
L ak e Ash an g i in April. They kept much in flocks, roosting among tlie roods a t nig h t.
Sir AA'. C. H a rris m et w ith th e species a t Angollala in Shoa.
The description is tak en from Air. Blanford’s specimen in th e British Aluseum, and
th e figure is also drawn from the same bird.