1492 Birds. 



On the occurrence of the Australian Spine-tailed Swallow in 

 England. By Edward Newman. 



On the 17th of July, T received through the kindness of Mr. Catch- 

 pool, a specimen of this remarkable bird, which had been shot in the 

 neighbourhood of Colchester, and to which allusion has been made 

 some months since, on the wrapper of the * Zoologist.' The bird has 

 been excellently stuffed by Mr. Hall, of the City Road, and is now 

 returned to Mr. Catchpool, after having been examined by our emi- 

 nent ornithologists, Mr. Yarrell, Mr. Doubleday, and Mr. Fisher, the 

 last-mentioned of whom has most obligingly supplied me with the fol- 

 lowing description and figure. 



The Australian Spine-tailed Swallow, (Acanthylis caudacuta). 



" Length 8 inches. From the carpal joint to the end of the wing 

 8 J inches. The first and second quill-feathers nearly equal in length, 

 and the longest in the wing. The wings, when closed, extend full 

 three inches beyond the spines of the tail. The length of the gape 

 from the tip of the under mandible (which appears to be rather the 

 longest) ^ of an inch. Length of the tarsus | of an inch, and of the 

 middle toe to the end of the claw f of an inch. The toes placed 

 three before, and one behind, the latter being however situated not in 

 the middle, but on the inner side of the shank. 



" The beak short, very broad at the base, and black. Irides, [sec 

 Gould]. Front and upper part of the eye, bordered by a line of stiff', 

 black, bristly feathers. Forehead grayish white ; crown of the head, 



