ALPINE SWIFT. 275 



three long white eggs are laid (Plate 118), and there is only a 

 single brood. Fierce fights with Starlings and Sparrows for 

 nesting sites are recorded ; the result is not always the same, 

 the bird first in possession generally wins. 



Towards the end of July some Swifts have started southward, 

 and in most years all have left the midlands and north before 

 the end of August. In late years, however, birds pass through 

 until early November ; I have seen one in Cheshire on November 

 10, and a friend saw one five days later m Lancashire. There is 

 at least one December record. 



The Swift is blackish brown, with a small and variable white 

 patch on the chin. In young birds this patch is purer. The 

 bill is black, the feet very dark brown, the irides brown. 

 Length, 7 ins. Wing, 6"8 ins. Tarsus, -55 in. 



Alpine Swift. Microptis melba (Linn.). 



The Alpine Swift (Plate no) breeds in the mountains of 

 central and southern Europe, northern Africa and parts of 

 central and southern Asia ; it winters further south in Africa, 

 and is well known as a winter visitor in Ceylon. 



It has frequently occurred in both spring and autumn as a 

 passage migrant or " occasional visitor" in England, Wales and 

 Ireland, but has not been noticed in Scotland. 



It is a rock-haunting species, but also nests in buildings, 

 making a similar nest of glued fragments to that of our bird. 

 Its habits are also similar, except that its flight is stronger and 

 its voice louder. It is easily recognised by its browner colour 

 on the upper parts and breast, and by its white chin, throat 

 and belly. It is much larger, for whereas the outstretched 

 wings of our Swift are just under 12 inches from tip to tip, this 

 bird measures nearly two feet. The bill and feet are black, the 

 irides brown. Length, 8 ins. Wing, 8*45 ins. Tarsus, '6 in. 



