BLACK SWIFT. G17 



ley informs me that in Leicestershire it usually makes its ap- 

 pearance before the 8th of that month. It is not in general, 

 however, until after the different species of Swallow have been 

 seen that it makes its appearance, a few individuals only pre- 

 senting themselves at first, and the number gradually increas- 

 ing, until at length they become in many places plentiful, 

 and attract attention by their extremely rapid flight and loud 

 screams. 



It betakes itself to steeples, high towers, ruinous castles, and 

 abrupt rocks, where it nestles in the holes and crevices. At 

 early dawn, in fine weather, it is to be seen shooting through 

 the air in all directions, with a rapidity scarcely equalled by 

 that of any other bird. Its flight is performed by quick flaps 

 of its long narrow wings, alternating with long glidings or sail- 

 ings, during which these organs seem motionless, but extended 

 nearly at a right angle. If you watch an individual, you observe 

 it speeding away with quick motions of the wings, which being 

 raised and depressed over a great range, seem to alternate with 

 each other; but this is not in reality the case, at least, I have 

 failed in satisfying myself that it is so. There, it shoots along 

 on motionless wings, turns to the right and left, flutters for a 

 moment, ascends, comes down abruptly, curves, and winds in 

 various directions, darts in among its fellows, and is lost to your 

 view. The ease with which it rises, falls, bends to either side, 

 glides in short or long curves, or stops in the midst of its full 

 career, is less astonishing than it ought to be, familiarity in this, 

 as in other instances, producing a disposition to regard as simple 

 what is the result of elaborate mechanism. 



It continues searching the air in this manner during the 

 whole day, when the weather is good ; nor does a shower, how- 

 ever heavy, usually induce it to relinquish its pursuit. Even 

 in the midst of heavy thunder rains, it may often be seen wheel- 

 ing and diving with unremitting vigour ; and in drizzly wea- 

 ther, when the Swallows have disappeared, it pursues its avoca- 

 tions, heedless of the damps. On the day on which the ac- 

 cession of her Majesty was proclaimed in Edinburgh, the 

 weather was extremely sultry and oppressive, and a very heavy 

 rain fell in the afternoon, during which I was a little surprised 



