COLLECTED ON THE COAST OF WESTERN AFRICA. 
— - (53) — “ Shot 12th August. They 
abound on this part of the coast.” 
This is Cypselus ambrosaicus, Temm. C. parvus , Lichten. 
(35) — “ g shot in Cape Coast Castle, 
5th July. This is the most common of the swallows of this part of 
the coast, the recesses of the ramparts being crowded with their 
nests, and during the cool of the mornings and evenings, myriads 
of them soar in the air in pursuit of insects, at one time so high as 
to be out of gunshot, and on another occasion so low as almost 
to touch the ground. There was one remarkable peculiarity ob- 
servable in this species, in the enormously developed sublingual 
glands, they being so large as completely to fill up the space 
between the rami of the lower mandible. They had a minutely 
granulated appearance, as if a quantity of millet seed were adhered 
together. The layer of subcutaneous fat was enormously developed, 
reminding one of the Gull genus in this respect, for the same liquid 
adipose tissue soiled the feathers very considerably notwithstanding 
the greatest care in skinning it.” 
This is Cypselus affinis . — The occurrence of this bird on the 
west coast of Africa is exceedingly remarkable, if we are correct 
in its identity with the species of India. We have compared Dr. 
Gordon’s specimen with a series from various parts of India, and 
cannot satisfy ourselves as to any distinction either in colour or 
size; and being so abundant, as described in the above notes, 
prevents our considering it as a temporary or stray visitant. In 
India, 0. affinis is a common though sometimes local species ; and 
according to Blyth, is resident throughout the year. It builds, 
according to Jerdon, in large pagodas, large old choultries, and 
other similar buildings ; the nests are often thickly crowded 
together. Captain Tickell remarks, the salivary glands furnish 
a supply of glutinous substance, used in cementing the materials 
of the nest* 
“ Scotornis climaturus, Sw. — (62) — Shot at Cape Coast 
Castle, 20th September. This beautiful species appeared just to 
have returned to this part of the country after its migration, which 
* Blyth, Plan of an Indian Ornithology, Cypselidm, p. 5. 
