5 



the Schilka I first observed it on the 23rd of May 1857, about 200 versts above Ust-Strelka; but 

 I did not meet with it in Russian Dauria, though I looked out most assiduously for it near 

 Zagan-olui, which locality is much frequented by Cypselus apus. It occurs singly in the lowlands 

 of Tunkinsk, where it was first seen on the 10th May 1859, and also in the pine-forests ; but 

 few seemed to have then arrived, and on the Naragun brook (ten versts north-east of the Tunka 

 village), where it is said to breed, none had put in an appearance." 



Colonel Przevalsky, who records this Swift from Mongolia, writes in his notes on the birds 

 of Mongolia (in Rowl. Zool. Misc.) : — " We met with a few specimens on the autumnal migration 

 in S.E. Mongolia, at the northern bend of the Hoang-ho. It does not occur in Kansu ; . . . . but 

 it goes as far north as Irkutsk, and a specimen obtained there is now in the Irkutsk Museum. 

 It is tolerably common in the Ussuri country, and breeds in the cliffs on the shores of rivers, 

 and in hollow trees. It appeared to me to be most numerous on the forest-clad hills around 

 Lake Hanka. Usually several pairs breed in close proximity to each other ; and during the 

 nesting-season (in May) the males, like our Swifts, chase the females on the wing, describing all 

 sorts of circles in the air, uttering a weak note, which is more like that of the Swallow than our 

 Swift. In the Ussuri country this Swift arrives at the end of April, and in Mongolia a week or 

 two later. When migrating they do not form compact flocks, but fly at short distances from 

 each other, and very close to the ground ; and we saw them leave Mongolia in the autumn in 

 this way. Their departure from the southern parts of Ussuri occurred in the end of August, 

 some, however, remaining as late as the beginning of September. The principal migration took 

 place on the 9th September, when we saw an almost uninterrupted flock of them passing above 

 our heads during nearly a whole day. They were migrating in company with Cypselus pacificus" 



Mr. Swinhoe records it (I. c.) as found in the south of China ; Pere David says that when 

 in Moupin he saw numbers circling at a great altitude, and he likewise met with it in the 

 mountains in the north of China. It is also found in Japan. Captain Blakiston sent examples 

 to Mr. Swinhoe, which were obtained in August and September at Hakodadi ; and Messrs. 

 Blakiston and Pryer say (Ibis, 1878, p. 231) that it is found in the Nikko Mountains, and is 

 common in Yezo in the summer. Dr. Jerdon, who records this Swift as found in India, says 

 that it has only been found in the south-eastern portion of the Himalayas, in Nepal, Sikkim, 

 and Bhotan. He frequently saw it near Darjeeling (often in the station itself), at Kursion, 

 and other places in Sikkim. Tickell also met with it at Darjeeling, and Hodgson in the 

 northern regions of Nepal. There is also another species in the Himalayas, Acanthyllis indica 

 (Hume), which is of about the same size as the present species, but is easily distinguishable 

 by its much darker upper parts, and by having the throat brown and not white, the chin only 

 being dull brownish white, and the spiny tips to the tail-feathers very much longer than in 

 Acanthyllis caudacuta. 



The present species does not appear to have been met with in the Philippines ; but Von 

 Rosenberg records it from Southern New Guinea, and it is tolerably common in Australia. 

 Mr. Gould says (I. c.) : — " This Swift is a summer visitant to the eastern portions of Australia, 

 proceeding as far south as Tasmania ; but its visits to this island are not so regular as to New 

 South Wales. During the months of January and February it appears in large flocks, which, 

 after spending a few days, disappear as suddenly as they arrive. I am not aware of its having 



