THE SPINE-TAILED SWIFT 245 



the second nests are mixed with feathers, and occasionally other 

 foreign substances. The eggs are two in number and pure 

 white." (Jerdon). The birds breed in China and Japan, and 

 the nests are highly prized as an article of food. 



The Grey-rumped Swiftlet. 



Salangana francica. 



Mauritius, Ternate, North Queensland, Oceania. 



Crown, nape, and back dark smoky-brown; rump brownish-grey, with 

 dark shaft lines; lower surface dusky brownish-grey, feathers with dark 

 shaft-lines; chin and throat a little darker. Total length over 4 inches, 

 wing 4.4, tail 2. 



This interesting Swiftlet has been found nesting in a cave on 

 Dunk Island, off the coast of Queensland, by Mr. E. J. Banfield. 

 The nest is like a basket and composed of fine grass and fibre, 

 all cemented together and adhering to the walls of the cave. 

 One pure white egg is laid, measuring about .80 x .51 inch. 



Genus Chcetura. 

 Shafts of tail quills with spinous points. 



The Spine-tailed Swift. 



Chcetura caudacuta. 



North Siberia, China, and Japan, migrating for the (southern) 

 summer to Australia and Tasmania. 



Crown of head, back of neck and ear-coverts deep shining green, 

 slightly tinged with brown; a small space before the eye deep velvety 

 black; a band across the forehead, chin and throat, and a patch on the 

 upper tail-coverts white; wings and tail deep shining green with purple 

 reflections; centre of back brown; chest and abdomen clove brown; bill 

 black; feet brown. 



One of the largest of the Swifts, seen flying in flocks in the 

 hottest months of the year, and always attracting attention by 

 its magnificent powers of flight. Gould says, "So exclusively is 

 this bird a tenant of the air, that I never, in any instance, saw 

 it perch. 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 



