Ii8 Account of the Javanefe Swallow, 



the loweft ftep, to which the tube muft be previoufly turned. 

 A pole with a knee and a pulley ftands by it, in order to 

 take out the fpeculum occafionally. The reafon why the 

 under part of the building was conftrucled higher than 

 neceflary, was merely that a tube of 30 or 35 feet might 

 be ufed. 



II. Defcription of the Javanefe Swallow, which conjlrucls 

 eatable Ncjls ; with an Account of the Manner in which 

 the Nc/ls are collcded. From the Transactions of the 

 Batavian Society in the Ifland of Java for promoting the 

 Arts and Sciences, Vol. III. 



_L HESE fmall birds are of a blackifh grey colour, in- 

 clining a litvle to green ; but on the back to the tail, as 

 well as on the belly, this blackiih colour gradually changes 

 into a moufe colour. The whole length of the bird from 

 the bill to the tail is about four inches and a half, and its 

 height from the bill to the extremity of the middle toe three 

 inches and a quarter. The diftance from the tip of the one 

 wing to that of the other, when extended, is ten inches and 

 a quarter. The largeft feathers of the wings are about four 

 inches in length. The head is flat; but, on account of the 

 thicknefs of the feathers, appears round, and to be of a large 

 flze in proportion to the reft of the body. The bill is 

 broad, and ends in a fharp extremity, bent downwards in 

 the form of an awl. The width of it is increafed by a naked 

 piece of (kin fomewhat like parchment, which, when the 

 bill is fhut, lies folded together, but which, when the bill 

 opens, is confiderably extended, and enables the bird to catch 

 with greater eafe, while on wing, the infects that ferve it 

 for food. The eyes are black, and of a considerable fize. 

 The tongue, which is not forked, is fhaped like an arrow. 

 The ears are flat, round, naked fpots, with fmall oblong 

 openings, and are entirely concealed under the feathers of 



the 



