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CYPSELÜS AUSTRALIS, Gouid.
Australian Swift.
Cypselus Australis, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part VII. p. 141.
As I had never seen or heard of a true Swift in Australia, I was no less surprised than gratified when I
discovered this species to he tolerably numerous on the Upper Hunter, during my first visit to that district
in 1838. Those I then observed were flying high in the air and performing immense sweeps and circles,
while engaged in the capture of insects. I succeeded in killing six or eight individuals, among which were
adult examples of both sexes, but I was unable to obtain any particulars as to their habits and economy. It
would be highly interesting to know whether this bird, like the other members o f the family, returns annually
to spend the months of summer in Australia. I think it likely that this may be the case, and that it may
have been frequently confounded with the Acanthylis caudacuta, as I have more than once seen the two
species united in flocks, hawking together in the cloudless skies, like the Martins and Swallows o f our own
island. By the discovery o f this bird another beautiful instance o f representation' is brought under our
notice; evincing most clearly that the Australian Swift, Swallow and Martin are representatives of the
Swift, Swallow and Martin of Europe, each performing in their respective hemispheres similar offices in the
great scheme o f nature.
Throat and rump white; upper and under surface of the body brown; the back tinged with a bronzy
metallic lustre; each feather of the under surface margined with white; wings and tail dark brown • irides
bill and feet black.
The figures are those of a male and a female of the natural size.