Ardea
Official journal of the Netherlands Ornithologists' Union

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Broekhuysen G.J. (1964) The status and movements of the European Swallow, Hirundo rustica, in the most southern part of Africa. ARDEA 52 (3-4): 140-165
1. The density of the European Swallow population in the southern and south-western part of the Cape has been estimated by means of road counts from a moving car. The overall mean population density for the months December, January and February for a total of 13 years and total mileage coverage of 16,445 miles is 13 swallows per ten miles. 2. When the mean population densities for each of the years are compared, good and bad swallow years can be distinguished. 3. It has been shown that the European Swallow during the southern summer months in the southern Cape is by far the most dominant species of swallow. 4. The results of the road counts in the southern and south-western Cape are compared with a 'limited number of road counts in Britain and Holland. 5. The time of the arrival and departure of the European Swallow in the southern part of the Cape has been established by applying three methods of observation. It has been found that the first swallows return as early as August, but that the bulk arrives at the end of November. The last arrive in December. 6. The departure starts at the end of March; most have left at the end of April. 7. Observations on the behaviour of the 'wintering' European Swallows are given. S. Observations on birds while actually migrating are discussed. 9. Possible breeding quarters for the birds wintering in the most southern part of the Cape are suggested in connection with spring arrival dates of European Swallows on the European continent, and with recoveries of birds ringed in the vicinity of Cape Town.


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