333 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



building their nests in the cavities of the rocks, where it is most 

 difficult and perilous to have access. Formerly," he adds, "both 

 Malays and Burmese procured at the Andamans a considerable 

 quantity of these nests, collecting them themselves or receiving 

 them from the islanders in exchange for their tobacco, &c." * 

 But it appears that both people, " taking advantage of the time 

 in which the natives were on board their vessels, tied them up 

 and carried them off as slaves." Hence tlie present hostility of 

 the rude Papuan inhabitants of the Andaman Islands to all 

 foreigners whatsoever. 



Subfam. Macropterygiin.e. 

 True Swifts in external structure, but with exceedingly short 

 tarsi, and toes pointed as in the class generally, i. e., the first or 

 hind toe consists of one jihalanx besides the unguinal, the second 

 or inner toe of two, the third or middle one of three, and the 

 fourth or outer of four; hence these birds are often seen to 

 perch. Their anatomy does not appear to have been examined, 

 though of especial interest. One genus only is knownt: — 



Macropteryx, Swainson (Crested Jungle Swifts). 



The species of which are remarkable for their beauty, having 

 delicate silky plumage, elongated on the crown to form an erectile 

 and somewhat pointed crest. The wings are exceedingly long in 

 the two following species, less so in others, and have their first 

 two primaries subequal. Tail deeply forked. The ear-covei'ts 

 (in probably all the species) are rufous or ferruginous in the 

 males, dark in the females. 



Four species have been ascertained, which inhabit India, the 



* J. A. S. XV. 363. 



I Unless Atticora, Boie, ranj^es here? Mr. G. E. Gray refers it to his 

 Hirundinince ; and assuredly Hirundo fasciata, Lath., assigned to this 

 genus by Mr. Gray, appears to be a true Swallow (with twelve tail-feathers, 

 &c.), as figured by Mr. Swainson in bis 'Zoological Illustrations.' But 

 Atticora Icucosternon, Gould, B. A., pt. ix., is a Swift, to judge both from his 

 figure and account of its habits; Mr. Coxen's statement quoted by him, that 

 it chooses for its nest the deserted hole of certain small burrowing Mammalia, 

 " in the side of which it buiTOWS for about seven or nine inches in a hori- 

 zontal direction, making no nest, but merely laying its eggs on the bare 

 sand," being the only inconsistency with the habits of other Cypselidce, and 

 indeed Hirundinidcc also — so far as in not preparing a nest. 



