96 



British Birds. 



THE 



COMMON SWIFT. 



(Apus npiis.) 



The Common Swikt. 



Although the 

 Swift may often be 

 seen hawking for 

 insects in the air 

 or over a river, in company with Swallows 

 or Martins, it requires but a short ac- 

 quaintance with its appearance and mode 

 of flight to distinguish it from the latter 

 birds. Not only does it appear to be per- 

 fectly black, for the white on the throat is 

 seldom seen during flight, but its long 

 wings and much more vigorous method ot 

 propelling itself through the air are m con- 

 trast to the graceful and more leisurely flight 

 (if the Swallows. The tail is slightly forked, 

 but this is not often observed, for the bird 

 generally carries the tail closed as it dashes 

 through the air. In the evening Swifts 



become more active, though they may often be seen flying in full sunshine, but, as 

 night approaches, they often assemble in small parties and dash round the houses or 

 old towers in which their nests are built. The latter are of the roughest material, 

 composed of wool and a few straws and feathers, and cemented together by the 

 bird's saliva. They are generally found under the roofs of houses, or in old spouts 

 on buildings, such places being accessible to the birds by reason of the fall which is 

 available for them to take to flight immediately they leave their nesting-place, as 

 they are unable to rise from the ground ; the nesting-materials are therefore 

 collected on the wing. The eggs are two or three in number, and are pure white. 



The Common Swift is found throughout Europe and the British Islands in 

 summer, and winters in South Africa. 



For a 

 member of 

 the family 

 of Swifts, 

 which are 

 generally black or dull-coloured, 

 the present species is rather a 

 handsome bird and is of large 

 size, measuring eight inches in 

 length. It is recognised by the 

 spiny shafts of the tail-feathers. 

 The Needle-Tailed Swift. which project beyond the 



THE 



needle-taili:d 



SWIFT. 

 {Clurtuia inuiiniiitd.) 



