Submission No. 415: House Swift Apus affinis. West Island, Ashmore Reef, NT. 5th November 2003. (Unpublished). Submitted by: Alistair Smith.

This submission relates to the sighting of a House swift hawking low over West Island, Ashmore Reef, NT on the 5^th November 2005.

The swift was dark with a prominent white rump and a white throat. The extent of white on the throat was much less pronounced than the white in the rump. These features combined with the squarish tail and size identified the bird as a House Swift.

The photographs helped to confirm the identification and 7 (out of 8) members of the committee resolved to accept the record. The one dissenting member concerned over the brevity of the description and the small image depicted in the photographs.

This being the 7^th confirmed record of this species to be accepted by the committee.

References and Bibliography:

· Christidis, L & Boles, W.E. 1994. The Taxonomy and Species of Birds of Australia and its Territories. R.A.O.U. Monograph 2. RAOU, Hawthorn East.

· Robertson, D.G. 1980. First record of the House Swift Apus affinis in Australia. Australian Birdwatcher 8, 239 - 242.

· Sibley, C.G. & Munroe, B.L., Jr. 1990. Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the World. Yale University Press, New Haven.

Accepted

Tony Palliser

Chairman, Birds Australia Rarities Committee