288 CAPRIMULGID^l 



in a building, and apparently cemented together by some 

 glutinous secretion from the bird's mouth. Two or some- 

 times more eggs are laid, and the young, as a matter of 

 necessity, remain in the nest until quite fledged. 



Another name for the Swift is Black Martin, and in 

 heraldry it is familiarly known as the Martlet, the figure 

 of which is a device of frequent occurrence in heraldic coats 

 of arms, and denotes that the original wearer of the dis- 

 tinction served as a crusader pilgrim. In Arabia it is still 

 known by the name of Hadji, or Pilgrim, to denote its 

 migratory habits. 



THE ALPINE SWIFT. 



CYPSELUS ALPINUS. 



General plumage greyish brown ; throat and middle of the abdomen pure white; 

 tarsi feathered. Length nearly nine inches. Eggs pure white. 



The Alpine or White-bellied Swift is, like the other 

 species, a bird of passage, but it rarely visits this country 

 — so rarely, indeed, that every appearance is duly chro- 

 nicled as a remarkable incident. Its usual summer resort 

 is the mountainous parts of the continent of Europe, w^here, 

 except that it builds its nest for the most part in cliffs, its 

 habits are the same as those of the common species. 



THE NIGHTJAR. 



CAPJRIMULGUS EUROP^US. 



General plumage ash-grey, spotted and barred with black, brown and reddish 

 brown; first three primaries with a large white patch on the inner web ; two 

 outer tail-feathers on each side tipped with white. Length ten inches and a 

 quarter, breadth twenty-two inches. Eggs whitish, beautifully marbled with 

 brown and ash. 



This bird, we are told by the old natm-ahsts, is a nocturnal 

 robber who finds his way into the goat-pens, sucks the 

 dugs of the goats, poisoning them to such an extent that 



