264 ALPINE SWIFT. 



portion of the year, it is found in Ceylon ; also in suitable situations 

 down to the extreme south of Africa, where it is supposed, though 

 not yet proved, to breed. 



A new spire now (1897) replaces the old tower of the cathedral at 

 Berne, where many ornithologists have studied the breeding-habits 

 of the Alpine Swift ; but several places in that city still afford suit- 

 able resorts, while there are many such in Friburg, the cliffs of Mont 

 Saleve, and other localities. "The nests are circular, substantial, 

 saucer-like structures, built up of sticky mud, and further welded 

 together by the birds' saliva, bound with straw, bents of grass, 

 pieces of paper and morsels of cloth" (J. H. Gurney, Tr. Norw. 

 Soc. vi., p. 258). I believe that the eggs are normally 2 in 

 number, but as 3 and 4 are sometimes found, perhaps two birds lay 

 in the same nest ; the colour is dead-white : measurements i '2 in. by 

 ■77 in. May 20th is the earliest date on which I have found eggs. 

 The Rev. H. A. Macpherson noticed some green grass in many of 

 the nests. Only one brood is reared in the season ; the male and 

 female taking turns in the duties of incubation. The food consists 

 of insects : among these the pernicious Tabaniis bovinus. The note 

 is louder than that of the Common Swift, and the flight is more 

 powerful ; while the large size, browner colour and white belly are 

 distinctive characters. 



Excepting a blackish patch in front of the eye, the upper parts, 

 sides of the neck, gorget and under tail-coverts are of a nearly 

 uniform mouse-brown, with a metallic lustre on the wings and tail ; 

 throat and belly white ; bill black ; feet brown ; length (from the tip 

 of the bill to the end of the tail) 8 in. ; wing 8"45 in. The sexes are 

 alike in plumage. In the young the feathers are slightly margined 

 with greyish-white. 



The vignette below represents the breastbone and foot of the 

 Common Swift. 



