ta il-fe a th e rs bla ck ish glossed w ith d u ll b l u e ; crow n o f he ad lik e th e b a ck , from which i t is
a lm o s t sep a ra ted by a nuch a l colla r o f de ep fe rru g in o u s , tlie sides o f th e h in d e r c row n a n d sides
o f th e n e c k b e in g o f th e la tte r c o lo u r a u d co n v e rg in g o n to th e n a p e , th e n u c h a l co lla r b e in g
o n ly in te r ru p te d b y a few d a rk -b lu e p lum e s iu tlie form o f sp o ts ; a n a rrow fro n ta l lin e a n d a
s tre a k ov e r th e eye de ep f e r ru g in o u s ; lo re s w h itish , tip p ed w ith d u s k y ; e a r-co v e rta pa le ru fo u s
w ith d u sk y sh a f t- s tr e a k s ; cheeks, tliro a t, aud u n d e r su rfa c e o f body w h itish , s lig h tly m a rk ed
w ith fu lv o u s o n th e b re a s t a n d f la n k s ; th e whole o f th e u uc le rpa rts n a rrow ly s tr e a k e d w ith d u sk y
b la c k ish sh a ft-liu e s , disap p e a rin g o u th e u u d e r ta il-c o v e rts , th e lo n g oues o f which a rc d eep blue-
b la ck w ith whitisli b a s e s ; u n d e r win g -co v e rts a n d axilla rie s r a th e r d e ep e r fu lv o u s th a n th e breast,
w ith n e a r ly obsole te d u sk y sb a ft-liu e s , wh ich a re , however, m o re pla in ly developed o n th e small
w ing-cove rts n e a r th e edge o f th e w in g ; q uills d u sk y below, p a le r a lo n g th e edge o f tlie in n e r
web : “ b ill, leg s, a u d fe e t b la ck ; iris b row n ” [JF. V . L egge). T o ta l len g th G-2 inches, cu lm en
0-35, w in g 4-45, t a i l 3 T , ta r su s 0-5.
A d u lt fem a le . S im ila r to th e male in colour. T o ta l le n g th G'O inche s, cu lm en 0 '4 ,w iu g 4 '2 5 , ta il 3-U5,
ta r su s 0 '5 .
Hab. T h e g r e a te r p a r t o f th e In d ia n P e n in su la a n d Ceylon.
T h is is the smallest of the four Indian Mosque-Swallows, and is distinguished not only
hy its lesser dimensions, the wing not exceeding dm inches, but by its pale under surface
and the narrow striations of the breast, which, as Mr. Oates remarks, are hardly broader
than the shafts of the feathers themselves.
It is the Swallow of the plains of India, and does not extend its range into the
Himalayas, where its place is taken by II. nipalensis. Mr. Bx*ooks says that in Kashmir
he found it as far up as Chuugus on tlie Tami River. A specimen from Naoshera,
obtained on the Gth of May, is in the Hume collection. According to Colonel Butler
it is found in Sind, Cutch, Káthiáwár, Gujarat, and Mount Aboo. “ Rare in the plains
in the Jiot weather. Common in the cold weather throughout the region, except Sind,
wlicre it is rare.” A specimen procured by Mr. Murray at Schwan on the 15th of
December is in the Hume collection, aud he also procured it at Lakki. In Cutch it is
very common, according to Dr. Stoliezka. “ A few birds,” writes Colonel Butler,
“ I’cmain in Deesa tlie whole year, but most of them retire to the hills during the hot
weather, leaving about the 30th of April, and returning about the 25th of J uue. It is
not very common near the Southern Lake, but breeds there.”
He also observes :—“ Very abundant at Aboo, where it breeds during the rains iu
.June and July, fixing its curious retort-shaped nest usually to the roof of a cave, and
laying two or three pure white eggs. I am doubtful whether it occurs in the plains
duriug the hot weather, but I am inclined to think it does not. My opinion is that
most of them pass the hot weather on the hills, where they abound at that season, and
breed iu the rains, returning to the low country again about the end of September, soon
after which they disappear entirely on tlio bills, aud become very common all over
the plains.”
In the Hume collection arc specimens from Agra (.Tune), Bundelkuud (Dec. 8),
and Etaw'ah (December), and the Tweeddale collection contains an example from Dchra
Doon. Dr. King also met wdth it in Kiimaun Bhahur on the 2nd of Marcli.
Mr. George Reid writes in his paper on the birds of the Lucknow Civil Division:—
“ The Red-rumped or Mosque Swallow is probably a permanent resident, though it is
only in the cold weather that it is at all abundant, the majority migrating to breed
eitlier in the hills or in suitable localities in the plains, though I do not see w!iy
Lucknow should not suit it as well as most places. A few most likely do breed in the
old mosques and minarets about the city, but on every occasion I have either failed to
find their nests or to sec the birds.
“ During the cold weather, as already remarked, it is, however, very couimou about
Lucknow, frequenting the deep cutting known as Hydcr Ali’s Canal, as well as the
mosques and minarets in the city, in vast numbers. In the district I have occasionally
come across great flocks basking in the sun on the ground, generally in ploughed fields,
and sanding themselves like Sparrows; while at other times I have seen them on the
telegraph wires, sitting iu rows and keeping up an incessant chattering or twittering.
They occasionally perch on bare trees, and probably pass the night in mango topes in
the absence of more suitable nesting-places. In no other way can I account for their
presence in localities, remote even from villages, where I have seen them often iu great
numbers at the break of day.”
Mr. B. II. Hodgson procured this species in Behar. Mr. Brooks has the following
note:—“ II. erythropygia breeds near Chunar, and in most places in the North-west
Provinces where there are old buildings or quarries suitable. The eggs are laid at tlic
commencement of the rains.” The Hume collection contains specimens from Mogul-
serai (November) and Diiiapur (December), obtained by Mr. Brooks, and another from
the neighbourliood of Calcutta. Mr. lY. T. Blauford noticed it in the IVardlia Valley,
and he also writes: —
“ Ou Eehvuary 23, close to AVuu, in South-eastern Berar, I saw an immense tlock
of these Swallows flying about one spot on the ground and constantly alighting. Tluu'c
was no flight of winged ants or termites to attract them, and they miglit have been
preparing to migrate, or resting during migration. I frequently met with this species
near Nagpur.”
Dr. Jerdon’s note is as follows :—“ This Swallow iu general prefers the proximity
of jungles. I saw it in Goomsoor, in the jungles round the Neilghorries, and also on
the summit of the hills, in various other parts of the west coast aud in the Carnatic, at
the Tapoor pass. In the northern part of the tableland, however, I have seen it
occasionally in tlic cold weather only, both in the neighbourhood of water and on dry
open plains.”
In IVcstern Khaiidesh Mr. Davidson records this species as a permanent resident,
common throughout the district and breeding in the rains ; and, according to Messrs.
Davidson and AVcndeu, it is common and breeds in the Deccan.