RINGED GOWRIE. 57 



hope of obtaining specimens, particularly through 

 the politeness of Mr. A. G. Johnston of Port- 

 land. In answer to some observations of Mr. 

 Hill's, this gentleman writes, " The ring-necked 

 Swallow abounds here, and flies all day, just as 

 the other Swift does. Flocks of a hundred or two 

 of each, wheel and scream about us before a shower. 

 I have a specimen before me, which I stuffed 

 sixteen years ago, pretty perfect yet, but I pro- 

 pose to shoot you some fresh birds. I find no 

 difficulty in bringing them down, but I never saw 

 one alight or perch anywhere." 



It is with doubt that I identify this bird with 

 the "White-necked Martin" of Temminck, found 

 by the Prince de Nieuwied in his voyage to Brazil. 

 He states it to be very common in the environs of 

 Rio Janeiro, and in all the districts of that pro- 

 vince, where " it is found among rocks. '^ Perhaps 

 it is Hirundo 3, of Browne. 



When the above was just going to press, I re- 

 ceived from Mr. Hill information that a specimen 

 of this bird had been obtained by Mr. Johnston. 

 A careful drawing of the left foot accompanied it, 

 with the following note. " The legs are curiously 

 constructed: the tarsus cannot extend further than 

 here represented, [viz. forming an angle with the 

 tibia, of 28°] nor can it be straightened, so that 

 it corresponds with the tail feathers, and keeps 

 the bird in an upright position against vertical 

 rocks and trees." Mr. J. ascertained that from 

 this formation, the bird cannot stand erect on the 

 ground, nor can it apparently walk; and he has 



