SWIFT. 261 



Although many of the migratory flocks are seen to pass 

 directly inland, the only note of its occurrence, except at 

 the coast line, is from Harewood, near Leeds, where two 

 were shot " many years ago " and were purchased by the 

 late Capt. Turton for his collection at Upsall Castle (Turton 

 MS., 1880). 



This species is not sufficiently well known to have any 

 vernacular names, though Sea Lark is a term occasionally 

 used in Cleveland. 



SWIFT. 

 Cypselus apus (L.). 



Summer visitant, generally distributed and fairly common, except 

 in the manufacturing districts, where it is scarce. Arrives in the 

 first week in May, departing in August and September, occasionally 

 lingering as late as October. 



An early allusion, perhaps the earliest, to this bird, is 

 contained in the Allan MS. (1791), where it is mentioned as 

 " Black Martin or Swift. Largest of our Swallows, and more 

 on the wing. . . . Builds in high places, as church steeples, 

 towers, etc." (Fox's " Synopsis of the Tunstall Museum," 

 p. 76.) 



Thomas Allis, 1844, wrote : — 



Cypselus apus. — Common Swift — Common about Doncaster. J. 

 Heppenstall observes that it has been more common about the town 

 of Sheffield this year than usual though evidently decreasing in the 

 country. R. Leyland remarks that a few pairs still breed in the vicinity 

 of Halifax, but that they have completely abandoned the streets 

 where formerly they might be seen in considerable numbers ; W. 

 Eddison says it comes every summer with the latest visitants, and 

 leaves early ; it seems to be less numerous every year, which he attri- 

 butes to the wantonly cruel pastime of shooting them for practice ; 

 there have been fewer near York this year than I have ever before 

 known ; in other districts their decrease is not mentioned. 



This species arrives later than the Swallow and Martins, 

 the usual time for its appearance being the first or second 



