On the occurrence of the Australian Spine-tailed Swallow in
England. By Edward Newman
On the 17th of July, T received through the kindness of Mr. Catch- pool, a specimen of this remarkable bird, which had been shot in the neighbourhood of Colchester, and to which allusion has been made some months since, on the wrapper of the 'Zoologist.' The bird has been excellently stuffed by Mr. Hall, of the City Road, and is now returned to Mr. Catchpool, after having been examined by our emi- nent ornithologists, Mr. Yarrell, Mr. Doubleday, and Mr. Fisher, the last-mentioned of whom has most obligingly supplied me with the fol- lowing description and figure.
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The Australian Spine-tailed Swallow, (Acanthylis caudacuta).
"Length 8 inches. From the carpal joint to the end of the wing
8½ inches. The first and second quill-feathers nearly equal in length,
and the longest in the wing. The wings, when closed, extend full
three inches beyond the spines of the tail. The length of the gape
from the tip of the under mandible (which appears to be rather the
longest) ⅞ of an inch. Length of the tarsus ⅝ of an inch, and of the
middle toe to the end of the claw ¾ of an inch. The toes placed
three before, and one behind, the latter being however situated not in
the middle, but on the inner side of the shank.
"The beak short, very broad at the base, and black. Irides, [see Gould]. Front and upper part of the eye, bordered by a line of stiff, black, bristly feathers. Forehead grayish white ; crown of the head,
