CYPSELTN^. 183 



Cat. 262 ; subsequently changed to Cypselus unicolor, Suppl. Cat. 

 — C. concolor, Blyth, J. A. S. XI, 886. 



The Indian Edible-nest Saviftlet. 



Descr. — Of a glossy cinereous or mouse-brown colour, darkest 

 on the head, wings, and tail, and tinged with steel-blue or green ; 

 paler beneath. 



Length 4| to 5 inches ; wing 4^ to 4| ; tail 2^, slightly forked ; 

 the centre feathers \ inch shorter than the outer ones ; wing 1 inch, 

 or rather more, beyond tail ; extent of wing 11 1 ; weight 7 dwts. ; 

 the feathers of the tail very broad. 



This bird has long been known as an inhabitant of Java and 

 other islands of the Eastern Archipelago. McLelland first 

 noticed it in this country from the Assam hills. I next recorded 

 it, though without any knowledge of its affinities, as an inhabi- 

 tant of the Neilgherries. It has since been found in the Sikkira 

 Himalayas, and in Ceylon. 



In 1846 I paid a visit, in company with Mr. Ward, M. S. C, to 

 Pigeon Island, some miles out at sea to the south of Honore, 

 which was said to be a resort of these birds. We found a laro-e 

 cavern at one end of the island, with a few of the nests, but of 

 the second make, and inferior to the first, being mixed with 

 feathers and extraneous matter. There were no eggs at this 

 season, (the end of December,) and we did not see any of the birds 

 to identify the species. A native, who had guided us to the 

 cave, said if we waited till 8 or 9 o'clock p. m., the birds would 

 come. We instructed him to do so, and to catch some of them in 

 a net he had with him for the purpose. Next day he returned to 

 Honore, bringing several individuals alive of this species. He said 

 they had not returned till 9. p. m. What a vast distance these birds 

 must have come from, to have taken full three hours after sunset 

 to reach their homes, and what powers of sustained flight are here 

 shown. It is knoAvn to have other breeding places on the Malabar 

 coast, viz., the Vingorla rocks, where one hundred-weight of nests 

 is said to be produced annually. If so, this must be the largest 

 breeding-spot on the coast. Also the Sacrifice Rock, 20 miles south 



