History of British animals - University of Guam Marine Laboratory

Hibundo. BIRDS. PASSERES. 6Jagainst the rafters, composed of clay on the outside, with grass and featherswithin, and open above. Eggs from 4 to 6 in number, white, with red specks.Frequently brings out two broods in the season. This species visits us earlierthan its congeners. Drinks and washes on the wing. Albinoes sometimesoccur.26. H. urbica. The Martin.— Above black ; beneath andrump white.H. agrestis,Will. Orn. 155— House-Martin, White, PhiL Trans. 1774,196. Penn. Brit. Zool. i. 401 H. urb. Temm. Orn. i. 428 W, MarthinPenbwl.Length 6, breadth 10| inches. Bill black ; irides hazel; claws white; legsand toes closely covered with white down. The black of the head and backglossed with purple. The female has the white of the throat inclining todusky. Nest of similar materials to the rustica, but in this it is covered attop, with a lateral entrance. It is placed against the eaves of houses or thesheltered corners of windows. Eggs four or five ;white. In this species thetail and wings are shorter than the swallow, and its motions less quick. Albinoessometimes occur.36. H. rijjaria. Sand-Martin.— Plumage above, and thebreast, mouse coloured ; the rest white.Will. Orn. 156. Sibb. Scot. 17- White, Phil. Trans. 1775, 272. Penn.Brit. Zool. i. 402. Temm. Orn. i. 429— E, Shore Bird ; W, Gennol-y-Glennydd G, Gobhlan ;gainbhich.Length 5| inches. Bill and legs dusky ; irides hazel. Tarsi with a fewsmall feathers at the insertion of the hind toe. The female has duller colours.Nest at the extremity of horizontal holes, in sand-banks, 2 or 3 feet in length,consisting of grass and feathers. Eggs from 4 to 6, of a white colour. Theyoung have the feathers bordered with rust colour.—This species in flight isirregular, making sudden jerks.chin.Gen. XX. CYPSELUS. Swift.—Tail forked; of 10 feathers.All the toes pointing forward. The first quill alittle shorter than the second. Nostrils near the ridffe ofthe bill, exposed, lengthened, with elevated margins.C3 V37, C. Apus. Common Swift.— Plumage black, with a whiteHirundo Apus, Will. Orn. 15G. Sibb. Scot. 17. White, PhiL Trans.1775, 264. Penn. Brit. Zool. i. 403.—C murarius, Temm. i, 434— E,Black Martin, Screech ; W, Marthin du.Length 8, breadth 18 inches; weight above an ounce. Bill, legs, and toes,black ; irides dark hazel. Breeds in holes in towers and steeples. Nest ofgrass and feathers. Eggs 2, of a white colour. The young have the feathersat the base of the bill white ; the quills, their covers and tail-feathers borderedwith white. Copulate on wing. Breed only once in the season. Depart early.Gen. XXI. CAPRIMULGUS. Goatsucker.—Tail rounded,of 10 feathers.Three toes in front, united at the baseto the first joint liind-toc ;capable of being brought for-