The THREAD-TAILED SWALLOW (_Cecropis-Uromitus-filifera_) is a small and
delicate bird, easily recognisable by the long threads in which the two
outer feathers of the tail terminate. The upper part of the body is of
a beautiful metallic blue, the top of the head rust-red, the region of
the cheeks black, the under side white, and the tail spotted with white.
The length of this species is five, and its breadth eleven inches. The
thread-like appendages are not so long in the tail of the female as in
that of her mate. This singular bird principally frequents India and
Central Africa, and we have met with it living solitarily or in pairs
during our travels in Nubia. As far as we were able to ascertain, its
habits exactly correspond with our account of its European congener. The
Indians call this species "Leischra," as the threads attached to the tail
are supposed to resemble the grass known by that name.