MACROPTERYX longipennis. 

 Javanese crested Swallow. 



Family Hirundinidae. 

 Generic Character.. 



Bill (Jig. \.2.)%xn3X\, entire, base depressed and straight, the outer half 

 of the culmen suddenly curved ; lower mandible straight, nostrils 

 large, oblong : Tarsi short, without scales ; anterior toes of 

 nearly equal length; (Jig. 3. 4.^ claws strong; hinder toe long, not 

 versatile, the claw very short and thick. Nob. 



Specific Character. 



Above obscure glossy green ; throat, breast, and loiver part of the 

 back light grey ; belly, spot on the scapulars, and line over the 

 eye, white ; ears rufous : front with an incumbent crest. 



Hirundo Klecho, Horsfield, Linn. Trans, xiii. p. 143, female ? 

 Cypselus longipennis. PI. Col. PI. 83, f. 1 ? 



To Dr. Horsfield, one of the most successful and scientific 

 investigators of Oriental Zoolog;y, we are indebted for the 

 first discovery, in Java, of this charming bird. Of its 

 economy nothing is as yet known ; but the uncommon 

 length of its wings, indicate its possessing the utmost rapi- 

 dity of flight. Another, and a much larger species, is 

 among the Ornithological treasures discovered in the East- 

 ern Archipelago by my estimable friend M. Lesson, and 

 which he has already communicated to the public. A third 

 is the Cgpselus Comntus, of M. M. Temminck and Laugier. 



The peculiar structure of these birds oblige us to consider 

 them as forming a natural group, intermediate between the 

 typical Swifts, and the Swallows. To the first they are 

 allied by their strong scansorial feet ; to the latter by the 

 length and fixed position of the hind toe, and the depres- 

 sion of the bill. 



We suppose that the figure of the Ilirondille longipennes, 

 in the Planches Coloriees, (pi. 83), is intended to represent 

 this species ; if so, it is incorrect, both in drawing, propor- 

 tion, colouring, and detail. 



