9A Sir W. Jardine on the Birds of Madeira. 
and remaining in the island through the year, have an interest at- 
tached to them connected with their migrations and geographical 
distribution, which gives a value to any information that. can be 
obtained regarding them. 
1. Buteo vulgaris, Common Buzzard.—A male®and not varying 
from the dark-coloured specimens of Europe : common on the south 
side of the island. 
Note. The common kestrel often frequents the gardens. Common sparrow- 
hawk also met with. 
2. Aluco flammea, FuEmM. Common White Owl.— Received 
from Mr. Bulwer.—The whole plumage with a very tawny tinge, 
as sometimes occurs in the young of the year in this country. 
Under parts are dull ochre yellow, with numerous black spots. 
Note. Mr. Carruthers also mentions the occurrence of this species, with an- 
other which he thinks is our tawny or brown owl, Strix Siridula, FLEM. 
3. Cypselus murarius, Common Swift.—The specimen, a male, 
was shot in April. Has the throat pure white, and the upper parts 
of a pale pitch black, with a greenish reflection ; the feathers on 
the head and rump tipped with a still paler tinge. The breast, 
belly and vent are darker, the feathers tipped with nearly pure 
white. Remains in the island during the whole year. 
Note. The swift, on its arrival in this country, gencrally has the plumage 
of a deeper and more glossy appearance ; but before leaving us, and as 
the moulting season approaches, the feathers become of a paler shade. 
This is the case, I believe, with the plumage of all birds previous to the 
moult ; when the feathers have performed their duty, and the juices are 
of necessity withdrawn for the support of others, the same gloss and beanty 
cannot*be kept up. The young of the first year have the feathers of the 
upper parts tipped with a paler tinge, and the throat nearly pure white. 
4. Cypselus unicolor, mihi Spec. Nov.—This is mentioned by 
Dr. Heineken, in his Observations on the Birds of Madeira, pub- 
lished in Dr. Brewster’s journal, with the description of the com- 
mon swift, from which it is certainly different, and I cannot find 
any described species agreeing with the specimen in my possession. 
According to Mr. Carruthers, it differs in its habits from the spe- 
cies of this country, feeding lower, and hunting the outlets of 
rivers, like the common swallow. The cry is nearly the same, but 
- not so noisy or incessant as that of C. murarius, and it is more 
abundant. 
C. unicolor, Mas.—Corpore nigrescente-viride, gula pallidiore, 
abdomine leviter fusco fasciata. 
_Long. rostro ad caudem 6} polls. alarum 6 polls. lat. 13 polls. 
Hab. Madeira. 
_ The whole plumage of a uniform dull black, with greenish reflec- 
tions. The throat and upper part of the breast slightly paler. The 
species to which it approaches nearest is the Indian Swift of La- 
tham ; in this the size is not mentioned, and the tail is said to be 
scarcely forked ; in the present the fork extends to one inch and a 
quarter. (See Plate V1.) 
