CYPSELID^ CYPSELUS 27 



laid (Millar says only two) ; these are white, of an elongated and 

 somewhat truncated shape ; they measure about 1-0 x 0*6. 



Mr. Millar sends me the following note: — "During the summer 

 months, from October to February, these Swifts are plentiful on 

 the Natal coast land, and may frequently be seen stealing the nests 

 of the smaller Stripe-breasted Swallow {Hinuido puclla), but I have 

 never yet noticed them building their own nests. On a cliff at 

 Newlands on the Umgeni river, where the swallows largely con- 

 gregate for nesting in October, dozens of these Swifts may be seen 

 robbing the swallows of their nests." 



389. Cypselus aflBnis. Indian Siuift. 



Cypselus atiinis, J. E. Gray and Hardwivlie, III. Ind. Zool. i, pi. 35, 

 fig. 2 (1832) ; P. L. Sclater, P. Z. S. 1865, p. 603 ; Dresser, B. 

 Eurojje, iv, p. 591, pi, 267 (1874) ; Sharpe, ed. Layard's B. Afr. 

 p. 94 (1875) : Shelley, B. Afr. i, p. 105 (1896). 



Micropus affinis, Hartert, Cat. B. M. xvi, p. 453 (1892). 



Apus afiSnis, Hartert, Tierreich, Podarg. p. 8.7 (1897). 



Description. — " Tail very even ; head, wings, and tail dark brown 

 with a slight metallic gloss ; back black with steel-blue gloss ; chin, 

 throat, and a band across the wings, white. 



" Iris deep brown ; bill black ; feet brown. 



" Length 5-1 to 5-5 ; wing 5-0 to 5*4 ; lateral tail-feathers 1-6 to 

 1-9 " (Hartert). 



This is a rather variable species in both shade of colour and 

 dimensions, but the variations do not seem to be geographical. 



Distribution. — The Indian Swift has only once been obtained 

 in South Africa. This was some years ago by Mr. H. Jackson, at 

 Nelspoort in the Beaufort West division of the Colony. Beyond 

 our limits it appears to be found throughout the greater part of 

 Africa including German east Africa, Abyssinia and Senegambia, 

 and thence through Palestine and Persia to India and Ceylon. 



Habits. — Mr. Jackson found this Swift breeding in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Nelspoort ; the nests were composed of feathers agglu- 

 tinated together, and were found in clusters fixed to rocks, and 

 this variation from the habits of the previous species led him to 

 think that the present bird was distinct. Mr. Blanford states that 

 in India " this Swift is highly gregarious, and is commonly seen 

 about old buildings and in towns. Its flight is similar to that of 

 C. apus, but less powerful and its call shriller. Its nest consists 

 of feathers, grass, or straw, cemented with saliva. Generally several 



