r 
GREY-RUMPED SWIFTLET. 
Nest. “ Small, shallow, saucer-shaped ; composed of some glutinous substance with a 
few feathers for a lining. Dimensions over aU 2 to 3 inches by | inch deep inside ” 
(Campbell). 
Eggs. “ Clutch two (?), stout, oval in form ; texture of shell fine ; surface glossy ; colour 
pure white ; dimensions 17 mm. by 13.” {id.) 
Breeding-season. “ September to December ” (Banfield). 
Although MacgiUivray (tlie elder) collected this species at Dunk Island, 
Rockingham Bay, for some unexplained reason it was ignored by Gould until 
a quarter of a century afterwards, when Ramsay recorded it, writing : “ This 
species inhabits the north-east coast range near Cardwell, Rockingham Bay, 
where it is tolerably plentiful, but very difficult to procure from its small size 
and swift flight. Small flocks may be seen flying to and fro over the cleared 
parts of the lower parts of the coast ranges, and frequently the same troop 
returns to the same open ground day after day ; towards evening others may 
be found sweepmg over the tops of the scrub and about the precipitous sides 
of the rocky ridges, where they doubtless breed. I found several young and 
immature plumaged birds, and none amongst those I obtained had the tail 
fully grown. I have never seen this species in any other part of Australia 
than near Rockingham Bay. It was observed in the neighbourhood of Cardwell 
during October, and when I left in April, 1874, it was still numerous there.” 
Campbell wrote: “ When at CardweU, Northern Queensland, August, 1885, 
my companions and I were greatly interested in the dusky little forms of this 
species of Swiftlet that hovered around our camp in dull weather, their presence 
usually predicting rain.” 
In the Emu, Vol. VIII., p. 146, 1909, Campbell described the nest and eggs 
from specimens forwarded him by Mr. E. J. Banfield from Dunk Island and gave 
Banfield’ s account, which I herewith reprint : “ My discovery this day (18/11/08) 
of a colony of the Grey-rumped Swiftlet enables me to send by parcel post 
nests (2), eggs (3), and unhatched egg in formalin solution. On 17th September 
last (as I advised you) I found an incomplete nest in a gloomy cave on one 
of the highest points of the island, from which fragment you guessed the identity 
of the builder. A succession of adverse circumstances prevented furthfer 
investigations until to-day. I was fearful that the breeding- season in the 
meantime might have passed : but, as the birds are among the permanent 
residents, I conclude that a sample of a complete nest might be procured, even 
though the rearing of families were over. On this occasion I went to a locality 
where I had often seen the Swifts darting among huge blocks of granite a few 
feet above highwater mark on the weather side of the island. They were 
plentiful and very active, but no nests were to be seen in the crevices I considered 
VOL. VII. 
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