CYPSELUS AUSTRALIS,Gould.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 be 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 of 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 theAcanthylis 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 of our own island. By the discovery of this bird another beautiful instance of 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 of 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.