jVHSTS and eggs of AUSTRALIAN BIRDS. 53. 



Ne»t. — Small, shallow, saucer-shaped ; composed of some glutinous 

 substaneo with a few feathers for a lining. Dimeusious over all, 

 2 to 3 iuehes by \ iuch deep inside. 



E<j(jii. — Clutch, two ( S) ; stout oval in form; texture of shell fine; 

 siu-face gloss}' ; colour, pure white. Dimensions in inches : '68 x -b. 



Ohacrvatiuns. — When at Cardwell, Nortlioni Queensland, August, 

 18S5, my companions and I were greatly interested in the dusky little 

 forms of this si»eies of Swiftlet that hovered around our camp in dull 

 weather, their presence usually predicting rain. 



Specimens of an Edible-nest Swiftlet were procured on Dunk Island, 

 Rockingham Bay, by Macgillivray, during the voyage of the 

 '' Rattlesnake," many years ago, but they were not recognised as an 

 Australian species imtil Dr. Ramsay discovered them on the mainland 

 and described them as C. ttrrm- refjina. Dr. Sliarpe says, " after 

 careful comparisons I have decided on keeping this new Swiftlet distinct 

 from C. spodiopygia, of Peale, to wliich it bears undoubted affinity. 

 However, " doctors differ," and Mr. Ernest Hartert, in classifying tliis 

 family in the Catalogue of Birds, British Museum, vol. xvi., unites 

 both birds under G. francica. 



Dr. Ramsay states : — " Tlus si^ecies inhabits the north-east coast 

 range near Cardwell, Rockingham Bay, where it is tolei-ably plentiful, 

 but very difficidt to procure, from its small size and swift fUght. Small 

 flocks may be seen flying to and fro over the cleared parts of the lower 

 parts of the coast ranges, and frequently the same troop returns to the 

 same open ground day after day ; towards evening others may be foiuid 

 sweeping over the tops of the sciaib and about the ijrceipitous sides 

 of the rocky ridges, where they doubtless breed. I found several yoimg 

 and immature-ialumaged bu'ds, and none amongst those I obtained had 

 the tail fully grown. I have never seen this species in any other part 

 of Australia than near Rockingham Bay. It was observed in the 

 neighbourhood of Cardwell during October, and when I left in April, 

 1874j was still niunerous there." 



According to Mr. K. Broadbcut's observations, the Grey-rumped 

 Swiftlet is common at the base of Bellendeu-Ker and up to l,gl30 feet. 

 He has seen it catching flies till nearly dark, and then fly towards the 

 moimtain. He also says it breeds in the rocky gorges of the coastal 

 range, from Herbei-t River to above Cairas. 



It would be well worth any field naturalist's time to explore the 

 region nam°d and find out for a certainty the nesting caves or quarters 

 of this interesting little Swift. 



426. — CoLLocALiA ESCULENTA, Linuseus. 

 EDIBLE-NEST SWIFTLET. 



Reference. — Cat. Birds Brit. Mus., vol. xvi., p. 509. 



Genrjraphical Dixtrihutiuii. — Northern Queensland; also New 

 Guinea and adjacent islands, Solomon Islands, Celebes, and Moluccas. 



