THE AUSTRALIAN NEEDLE-TAILED SWALLOW. 



129 



The Swifts, technically called the " Cypselinse," or Cypseline birds, are readily 

 distinguished from the Swallows by the very great comparative length of the two first 

 primary feathers of the wing, which are either equal to each other, or have the second 

 feather longer than the first. The secondaries are remarkably small, being nearly concealed 

 under the coverts. There are ten primaries in the wing, and the same number of quill 

 feathers in the tail. 



The AusTKALiAN Spine-tailed, Needle-tailed Swallow, or Swift, as it ought rather 

 to be called, is the largest of all the Swallow tribe, measuring no less than twenty-eight 

 inches in total length when the 

 wings are closed, and twenty inches 

 to the extremity of the tail. 



The title of Needle-tail has 

 been given to this bird on ac- 

 count of the curious formation of 

 the tail-feathers, which are short 

 and even, and have their ex- 

 tremities devoid of web, so as to 

 form a row of sharp, short points, 

 as if a number of needles had 

 been thrust through the shaft of 

 each feather. This species is a 

 native of Australia, and as may 

 be seen from the following extract 

 from Mr. Gould's work on the 

 Birds of Australia, is very inte- 

 resting and curious in its habits, 

 and worthy of especial attention 

 from any naturalist who may 

 chance to have an opportunity of 

 watching it. 



"The keel or breast-bone of 

 this species is more than ordinarily 

 deep, and the pectoral muscles 

 more developed than in any other 

 bird of its weight with which I 

 am acquainted. Its whole form is 

 especially and beautifully adapted 

 for aerial progression, and, as its 

 lengthened wings would lead us 

 to imagine, its power of flight, 

 both for rapidity and extension, is 

 truly amazing. Hence it readily 

 passes from one part of the country 

 to another, and if so disposed may 

 be engaged in hunting for flies 

 on the continent of Australia at 

 one minute, and in half-an-hour 

 be similarly employed in Van 

 Diemen's Land. 



So exclusively is this bird a tenant of the air, that I never in any instance saw it perch, 

 and but rarely sufficiently near the earth to admit of a successful shot ; it is only late in 

 the evening and during lowery weather that such an object can be accomplished. With 

 the exception of the crane, it is certainly the most lofty as well as the most vigorous flier 

 of the Australian birds. I have frequently observed in the middle of the hottest days, 

 while lying prostrate on the ground with my eyes directed upwards, the cloiullessblue sky 

 peoi:)led at an immense elevation by hundreds of these birds, performing extensive curves 

 2. K 



AUSTRALIAN NEEDLE-TAILED SWALLOW.— ^cdnftj/Jis camJacuta. 



