384 AVIFAUNA OF CHOTA NAGPUR, 



from the thousand directions in which they were darting and 

 circling. 



35— Acantliylis sylvatica, TicMl (95.) 



The White-rumped Spine-tail was first obtained by Colonel 

 Tickell in the neighbourhood of Chaibassa. I did not succeed 

 in obtaining a specimen, and Captain Beavan makes no men- 

 tion of it, so that it is probably somewhat rare.* 



36.— Cypselus melba, L. (98.) 



Colonel Tickell appears to have observed the Alpine Swift too in 

 Singhbhum. He says : — "It resorts much to the tops of high rocks 

 or wooded hills, the summits of which it flies round with great 

 velocity. Flocks sometimes assemble of an evening near large 

 ponds in the jungles, dashing into the water with loud screams 

 like our Swift at home/' 



37.__Cypselus affinis, Gray (100.) 



The Common Indian Swift was observed by Captain Beavan, 

 who says : — " Rare in Manbhum, although seen in Purulia itself." 



38.— Cypselus palmarum, Gray 8p Sard (102.) 



The Palm Swift is only found in abundance where its favorite 

 trees are common. I have sometimes observed a small colony 

 settled in a single tree, where perhaps for many miles around 

 not another tree or swift could be found. 



39.— Dendrochelidon coronata, Tickell (104.) 



The Indian-crested Swift is found in most parts of Chota 

 Nagpur, but is nowhere very abundant. 



It is extremely interesting to watch a flock of these fine 

 Swifts flying about in the evening and calling to one another 

 as they perform their graceful evolutions. 



I have also obtained this bird in the Hajmehal hills and in 

 the Satpura range. 



Dr. Jerdon does not mention that the rufous of the ear- 

 coverts, which serves to distinguish the male, is connected with 

 the chin by a line of the same color. 



The following are the dimensions of my specimens in inches :- 

 Sirguja S Wing 6'05 ; Tail 3 + 2- ; Bill from gape "8 



Kajmehal hills S j> 6 - l „ 3' -f- 1-9 „ „ ,, -7 

 Sirguja ? „ 615 „ 3- + 2' „ „ „ -7 



Satpuras $ „ 635 „ 3 16 „ „ „ *7 



* Very abundant in certain localities, a little to the south in Kaipoor and Sumbhul- 

 poor.— Ed., S. F. 



