216 On the Orrdthology of Hit Maiopo District. 



It is of course a variable species, but this is tlie largest 

 that I have obtained. This Nightjar vrill probably prove 

 to be somewhat numerous. 



115. JMacrodipteryxvexillarius. Standard-WingNightjar. 

 Cosmetornis vexillarivs (Gould); Scl. iii. p. 42. 



Mr. G. E. Henderson informs me that he observed this 

 Nightjar on Lonsdale Farm in 1911. 



116. J Apus apus. European Swift. 

 Cypselus apus (Linn.); Scl. iii. ]>. 25. 



A more or less common summer visitor, which, hoAvever, 

 in 1912, 1 only saw in January and February. I believe the 

 brown Swifts occurring in Matabeleland during the rains 

 are referable to the present species, but I must admit that in 

 few cases have I had opportunities for identification, and it is 

 therefore possible that the European species may have been 

 confused with the South-African Apus barbatus, which, 

 however, has not, to my knowledge, been yet obtained in 

 Southern Rhodesia. 



117. Apus affinis. Indian Swift. 



Cypselus affinis (Gr. & Hardw.) ; Scl. iii. p. 27. 



I first noticed this rare species on the 7th of February, 

 1912, but it had been previously recorded from the Matopos, 

 by Messrs. Mennell & Chubb, as a breeding species on Silo- 

 zwana (Proc. Rhod. Sci. Assoc, vol. viii. 1908, p. 57). These 

 Swifts occurred on Matjanyoni kopje, and when I saw them 

 they had only just arrived ; they were restlessly flying about, 

 and continually hanging round the large cavities wherein Cliff 

 Martins and Swallows were nesting. On Feb. 25 I noticed 

 these Swifts in pairs and located one nest within an old one 

 of Ilirundo puella. Ten days later I counted six or seven 

 pairs and saw several nests attached to the roof of a cave — 

 they appeared to be made of feathers principally, aggluti- 

 nated together. Two or three birds seem to build together, 

 and the nests are very small compared with those of the 

 Swallows. These Swifts as a rule kept to the kopjes, and 

 only on one occasion did I see them down at the river, 

 M'hich was nearly a mile distant. 



[To be continued.] 



