Hirundo rustica, Linn. Swallow.—Frequently observed in Switzerland. Common summer visitor to Ireland.
General distribution.—Over Europe,[1] and the greater part of Asia and North Africa in summer, migrating to India as far east as Burma, and all over Africa in winter. This bird is subject to a variety of foreign representatives, especially those connecting the Old with the New World (American) forms (vide R.B. Sharpe's Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. vol. x.).
Chelidon urbica, Linn. House Martin.—Frequent in Switzerland. Common summer visitor to Ireland.
General distribution.—Much the same as the last species, but, according to Saunders, it seems to winter in Central Africa. (In Europe it is rare in the Basque Provinces.)
Order Picariæ.
Cypselus apus, Linn. Swift.—Common in Switzerland and in Ireland (except the west) in the summer.
General distribution.—Abundant in Europe in summer. Also found in Asia and North Africa at the same time of year. In these parts, however, there are racial differences. On the winter migration it visits India and South Africa. According to Saunders it has occurred at the Andaman Islands.
C. melba, Linn. Alpine Swift.—Observed in two distinct localities in Switzerland: (a) at a high latitude at Grindelwald; (b) in the town and valley of Lucerne. In the latter place many Alpine Swifts, in company with the common species, were observed flying round an old tower close to the town bridge over Lake of Lucerne. These birds often flew under the eaves of the building, disappearing for a few minutes, and then flying out again. They were evidently nesting there. Extremely rare in Ireland. Thompson ('Birds of Ireland') records three specimens. For occurrences see also 'List of Irish Birds,' by the late A.G. More, p. 17; and Saunders's 'Manual,' p. 263.
General distribution.—Frequents the high mountains of Central and Southern Europe in summer; also North Africa, West and South-west Asia. In winter it migrates to Central India (especially Ceylon), and as far as South Africa.
N.B.—This Swift can be distinguished from the common
- ↑ Breeds as high north as 70° N. lat. in Scandanavia.
