58 PASSERES. HIRUNDINID.E. 



been told that cattle-boys and fishermen in Portland 

 both say that they have taken young ones of this 

 species clinging to the vertical honey-comb rocks, 

 against whose base the sea dashes. As the specimen 

 thus procured is kindly destined for me, I hope to 

 speak still more definitely, if it arrive in time, 

 in an appendix. Perhaps it may form a new 

 genus. 



Mr. Johnston's little boys, familiar with Peter 

 Wilkins's story, have been accustomed to call these 

 birds Gowries; because of the rushing noise they 

 make with their wings ; a noise that is heard even 

 when they sweep by, far overhead. I have adopted 

 this appellation. 



PALM SWIFT.* 

 Tachornis phcenicobia. MIHI. 



THIS delicately-formed little Swift, conspicuous 

 even in flight, from the broad belt of white across 



* TACHORNIS. Generic diameter. Bill very short, depressed, gape 

 very wide, the sides suddenly compressed at the tip, which is curved ; 

 the margins inflected : nostrils, large, longitudinal, placed in a mem- 

 branous groove, the margins destitute of feathers. Wings very long and 

 narrow ; first quill tapered to a point : second longest. Tail slightly 

 forked, a little emarginated. Tarsi rather longer than middle toe, fea- 

 thered. Toes all directed forwards, compressed, short, thick, and 

 strong, with compressed claws. Sternum immarginate, but with three 

 foramina, one through the ridge, and one on each side. 



Length 4-^- inches, expanse 9^, flexure 4, reach of wings beyond 

 the tail -^-, tail, outer feathers \~, uropygials 1^, rictus -5^, beak ^, 

 taraus , middle toe rather less than . 



