38G 
CATALOGUE. 
624. CYFSELUS SUBFURGATUS, Blyth. 
Cjpselus subfurcatus, Blyth, J. A. S. Beng. XYIII. 
p. 807 (1849) ; Cat. B. Mus. A. S. Beng. p. 85. 
Bonap.j C. G. Av. p. 65. 
Cypselus affinis, apud Strickland^ B. Z. 8. (1846), p. 99. 
A. B. c. d. Pinang. Presented by Dr. Cantor, April, 1854. 
" The nidification of this bird is remarkably different from Cypselus 
affinis ; several pairs inhabiting a continuous common nest, which is 
affixed to an eave in the manner of that of Sir undo urhica^ or of 
Gyp. affinis ; the latter species, however (so far as we have observed), 
so placing its nest as to be concealed, or at least rendered incon- 
spicuous by a rafter or other object in front. According to the 
following account by Colonel Low, * a colony of G. subfurcatus 
inhabited the verandah of a house in the island of Pinang. They 
began with a pair, and now compose a harmonious family of about 
sixteen or eighteen. The nests are fastened to the beam much in 
the same way as the nest of the swallow, but their nidificatory habits 
differ from those of the latter birds by their running two, three, or 
more nests into one. There were about six or eight birds in the 
specimen of a nest herewith sent, which had three apertures. They 
seem to keep a regular watch at night, for, on the least noise, the 
sentinel pipes a little, and is then followed by all the rest. They 
lay two eggs ; and are not migratory, — at least, my friends are not — 
for they have been domiciled upwards of a year where they are now.'* 
" The nest above noticed is a beautiful fabric in its way, remarkably 
light and compact, being composed of feathers and other light sub- 
stances firmly bound together by a good deal of the saliva-like 
gluten, several shed primaries and other feathers of the birds them- 
selves, doubtless cast within the nest, are thus fastened in to add to 
the lining. The only aperture visible, now that the nest has been 
cut away from its place of attachment, is a somewhat prolonged 
entrance at one extremity ; and there appear to be but two depres- 
sions adapted for the reception of eggs, which renders it probable 
that several of its inhabitants were the young of a former brood, or 
perhaps broods. The total length of the interior is 12 in. by nearly 
5 in., where broadest, and this capacity would indicate that it is 
intended as much for a habitation for a number of the birds, as for 
the ordinary purpose of incubation. Procuring some nests of Gyp. 
affinis for comparison, the size of these also indicates the fact that 
they are similarly inhabited, but it would appear that there is no 
