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Genus Caprimuxeus, Linn.

Europe, Asia and Africa are the great strongholds of the members of this genus as at present restricted. A
single species only has yet been discovered in Australia, where it frequents the northern or intertropical parts of

the country.

48. Caprimulgus macrurus, Horsf. . : ; : : ; : : : : : : Wolk, Hl, 14k

This bird is found in Java, and I believe in Southern India.

Family HIRUNDINIDA, Vig.
Genus Acantruyuis, Bore.

A group of birds possessing enormous powers of flight, and the members of which are distributed over the
Indian Islands and Asia; the form is also found in Africa and in America, but in those countries the species are

fewer in number: one species only has yet been discovered in Australia.

 

49. Acanthylis caudacuta : : 3 : : : : : : : : : é Vol. II. Pl. 10.

A migratory bird in most parts of Australia, but whence it comes or whither it goes has not yet been ascer-
tained; of its nidification also nothing is known.

I have alluded to the great wing-powers of the birds of the genus Acanthylis, and in confirmation of which I
may mention that an individual of this species was killed in England during the past year: it would be interesting

to know the route pursued by the bird in travelling so great a distance as it must have done.

Genus Cypsetus, ///.

Of this genus, as of Acanthylis, there is but one species peculiar to Australia: other members of the group

inhabit the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa, but not America.

50. Cypselus Australis, Gould : ; : : : : : : : . : : NVA) ons LL Tel ate
Hirundo pacifica, Lath. ?
Genus Arricora, Bove.

The members of this genus are principally American.
I am not fully satisfied of the propriety of placing the bird I described in the ‘ Proceedings of the Zoological
Society’ as Hirundo leucosternon in the present genus : if on a further knowledge of the Australian birds it should

prove that I have been correct in so doing, the species will be found to inhabit Australia, Africa and America.

51. Atticora leucosternon, Gould. ; f : : : : Wolo slleelele 12)

Since I described and figured this species I have received numerous examples from Swan River, where
Mr. Gilbert observed it on the 19th of August flying about the holes of the Boodee (Bettongia Grayit) in pairs ;
but it was not until the latter end of September that he succeeded in finding their nests placed at the extremities
of holes bored in the side of a bank. All the holes that he saw were perfectly round, not more than two inches
in diameter, running horizontally, and of the same dimensions, for three feet from the entrance, and then expanding
to the extent of four inches and forming the receptacle of the nest, which is constructed of the broad portions of
dried grasses and the dry dead leaves of the Acacia. Mr. Johnson Drummond informed him that he had frequently
found seven and even nine eggs in a single nest, from which he inferred that more than one female lays in the
same nest: the eggs are white, somewhat lengthened, and pointed in form. It would seem that the holes are not
constructed exclusively for the purpose of nidification, for upon Mr. Gilbert’s inserting a long grass stalk imto one
of them five birds made their way out, all of which he succeeded in catching ; upon his digging to the extremity in
the hope of procuring their eggs, no nest was found, and hence he concludes that their holes are also used as

places of resort for the night.

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