C YPSELID.E — THE SWIFTS — NEPHCECETES. 



349 



Tarsus rather longer than middle toe ; the three anterior toes about equal, with moder- 

 ately stout claws. Claw of middle toe mutdi shorter than its digit. Hind too not versatile, 



but truly posterior and apposite, with its claw rather longer than the middle toe without 

 it. Toes all slender ; claws moderate. Kostrils widely ovate, the leathers margining its 

 entire lower edge. 



Nephoecetes niger, Gmelin. 



THE NORTHERN SWIFT. 



? Hirundo nifjra, Gmelix, Syst. Nat. I. 1788, 1025. — ? Ci/pseliis nir/er, GossE, Birds Jamaica, 

 1847, G3. Ib. I11u3. Birds .Jamaica. — Guxdlach ami Lawkexce, Ann. N. Y. Lyccura, 

 VI. 1858, 269. — Nep/KEcales nlijcr. Bated, P. H. Rep. IX. Birds, U2. 



Cypselus horealis, Kexxerlv, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sc. Pliil. IX. Nov. 1857, 202. 



Sp. Cn.\R. ^^'ing the length of the body. General color rather lustrous dark sooty- 

 brown, with a greenish gloss, becoming a very little lighter from the breast anteriorly be- 

 low, but rather more so on the neck and head above. The feathers on the top of the 

 head edged with light gi'ay, which forms a continuous wash on each side the forehead 



anterior to the usual black crescent in front of the eye. Some feathers of the under parts 

 behind narrowly edged with gray. Bill and feet black. Length, 6.75; wing, G. 75; tail, 

 3.00; depth of fork, 45. 



Hah. Northwestern Xorth America to Jamaica and Cuba. 



