412 NESTING HABITS OF A SWIFT ( TACHORNIS . 
are borne close to the leaf stems, and are in groups of four ; 
it bears a small edible yellow fruit and belongs to the order 
of the Bhamnaceae. The Swahilis call it kunazi , and in Arabic 
it is called dom, in India it is called her or bor. It is a well- 
known tree on the coast of Arabia at Hadramaut and Muscat, 
where it is possibly indigenous, but some authorities maintain 
that it was derived from India. It was certainly carried 
over to the east coast of Africa by the early Arab settlers, 
and it has also spread to China. It is said to grow to a very 
considerable size in Arabia, and is highly prized for its fruit, 
a big tree being often valued at Bs. 40-50. 
The fruit is dried and crushed, and is sent far into the 
interior of Arabia as food. 
Bich people have the seeds extracted and a cupful will 
sell for Be.l ; they are supposed to be a great specific for the 
sight ; this is probably due to their astringent properties. 
The bark is used for tanning in North India and Burma. 
In some parts of India the tree is carefully cultivated, and 
the size of the fruit has been increased by grafting or budding 
the trees, and a fruit 2 in. long by 1 in. in diameter is produced ; 
the fruit borne by the specimens of the tree in East Africa 
only averages 1 in. in diameter. In India the pulp of the 
fruit is mixed with tamarind and made into chutney. The 
dried fruit is also exported from the Persian Gulf to Europe, 
where it is made into lozenges and jujubes for the treatment 
of cough ; this is the origin of the name of the species of this 
tree. Seeing that this tree flourishes so well on the coast 
without any cultivation, it might prove worthy of some 
attention from coast planters. 
NESTING HABITS OF A SWIFT ( TACHORNIS 
PARVUS) IN GEBMAN EAST AFBICA 
By Arthur Loveridge 
Nest and Eggs . — When out collecting one morning at Moro- 
goro, I came across a small colony of swifts nesting in the 
banana-palms which line the sides of the road. The lowest 
