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Show 214 MESSRS. SHARPE AND DRESSER [Ap in Central Asia, and was received in a collection of other species by Madame Verdey. It seems closest allied to the C.fumigata of Swinhoe from China, but differs from it in the following characters, which readily serve to distinguish it from that species. The upper plumage of C.fumigata is chestnut-brown, instead of olive-brown as in the present bird, which has no trace of chestnut; the superciliary stripe in C.fumigata is white, in this species it is yellow ; the throat and underparts of C. subjiavescens are yellow, while those of its ally are white. These are sufficient to indicate the differences which exist, although others occur*. The specimen described is the only one I have seen; and I have no information regarding the economy or habits of the species. 5. O n some new or little-known points in the Economy of the C o m m o n Swallow (Hirundo rustica). By R. B. S H A R P E , F.L.S. & c , and H. E. D R E S S E R , F.Z.S. &c. In examining a large series of the Common Swallow (Hirundo rustica) for our proposed work on the Birds of Europe, some peculiar facts have come under our observation, which do not seem to have been previously recorded by other ornithologists ; and we therefore lose no time in bringing them before the notice of the public. In order to place the result of our observations in as clear and concise a manner as possible before our readers, we think it best to give the following diagnoses of the specimens on which our conclusions have been based. W e take this opportunity of returning our best thanks to Mr. Frederick R. Surtees, to whom we are indebted for the specimens from South Africa, which have been the means of our making the discovery of the curious phases of plumage through which the Common Swallow passes on leaving northern latitudes. The Rev. Dr. Tristram has also, with his usual kindness, sent us his specimens of Swallows collected by him in Palestine. No. 1. (Taken from a nest at Highgate, near London, on the 22nd of June, 1869.) Frontlet (extending backwards over the eye) and throat very pale sienna; space between the bill and the eye, as well as the cheeks, black ; entire upper surface dusky steel-blue ; quills blackish, edged externally with greenish blue, as also the tail, which is almost square, the spots on the latter white, tinged faintly with buff ; a band extending across the lower part of the throat and chest dusky black with scarcely any blue reflection ; rest of the under surface of the body white, tinged with delicate buff, flanks dusky; bill blackish, yellow along the gape ; feet dark brown. Total length 4*3 inches; wing 3 1 ; tail measured to tip of outer-feather 1*3. * Since writing tbe above I have been shown by Lord Walden a specimen of C. fasciolata, Gray (P. Z. S. 1860, p. 349), from Batchian, which resembles my bird still more closely than C. fumigata, but differs in having a much larger bill and in the colour of the upper parts and tail. The two species can readilv be •distinguished from each other. |