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Show 312 MR. R. B. SHARPE ON ETHIOPIAN H I R U N D I N I D E E . [May 12, but seen a little from behind, it has a conspicuous greyish lustre, like that of a piece of silk. « j a m &c " C. J. SUNDEVALL." To the above remarks of the learned Swedish Professor I do think I can add any thing. 9. HIRUNDO ATROCEERULEA. Hirundo atroceerulea, Sund. CEfv. Kong. Vet. Akad. Forh. 1850, p. 107 ; Gurney, Ibis, 1863, p. 152 ; Layard, Birds, of S. Afr. p. 55 (1867) ; Gurney, Ibis, 1868, p. 152 ; Gray, Hand-1. of B. i. p. 70 (1869). Entirely glossy blue-black, a little more dusky underneath ; the shafts of the primaries and tail-feathers white and very plain on the underside; bill black ; feet dark brown. Total length 7*2 inches ; of bill from front 0*3, from gape 0*5 ; wing 4*5 ; tail 4*6 ; tarsus 0*35, middle toe 0*4, hind toe 0*2. Hab. Lower Caffraria (Wahlberg); Natal (Wahlberg, Ayres). Professor Sundevall considers this Swallow to be of the same form as H. rustica. I differ from him ; for I think it comes nearest to H. filifera, which it greatly resembles in the extreme length and wire-like elongation of the outer tail-feathers. At any rate, it is one of the most remarkable Swallows yet known, and it is to be regretted that it is at present so rare in collections. M y description and measurements are taken from a specimen collected by Wahlberg in Natal, received in exchange from the Stockholm Museum. 10. HIRUNDO FILIFERA. Hirundo filifera, Steph.; Cab. Mus. Hein. Th. i. p. 46 (1850) ; Heugl. Journ. f. Orn. 1862, pp. 288, 298 ; Kirk, Ibis, 1864, p. 320 ; Heugl. Orn. N.-O. Afr. i. p. 155 (1869). Ubromitrus filifera, Brehm, Reis. Habesch, p. 209 (1863). Hirundo filicauda, Miill. Journ. f. Orn. 1855, p. 5. Cecropis filicauda, Brehm, Journ. f. Orn. 1853, p. 452. Cecropis filicaudata, Riipp. Svst. Uebers. p. 22 (1845); Heugl. Syst. Uebers. p. 14 (1856); Antin. Cat. Ucc. p. 26 (1865). Hirundo ruficeps, Licht. Verz. Doubl. p. 68 (1823) ; Ferr. et Gal. Voy. Abyss. Zool. iii. p. 242 (1847). Hirundo smithii, Leach, App. to Tuckey, Vov. Congo, p. 407 (1818); Mull. Journ. f. Orn. 1855, p. 4 ; Hartl. Orn. Westafr. p. 26 (1857), et Journ. f. Orn. 1861, p. 103. Hirundo fuscicapilla, Heugl. Orn. N.-O. Afr. p. 154 (1869). Hirundo velocissima, Pr. Wurt. M S . (teste Heuglin). Hirundo anchietce, Bocage, Jorn. Lisb. 1867, p. 150 (descr. orig.) et p. 331. Crown of the head bright chestnut; feathers before and round the eye dull black; ear-coverts, nape, and entire upper surface rich purplish blue ; quills dark blackish brown, paler on the inner web, the upper surface glossed with deep steel-blue; tail black, the outer |
