CYPSELIN^. 177 



Out of India it is known as an inhabitant of the Alps, Pjren- 

 nees, the hilly regions of Western Asia, and of Africa. It was 

 found by recent travellers breeding in Palestine, and in Greece, 

 in rocky ravines, in high cliffs, and even in large old buildings, 

 such as churches and forts, and making its nest of straw, &c., 

 cemented by its glutinous saliva. The eggs are said to be four or 

 five in number, pure white. 



99. Cypselus apus, Lm. 



Hirundo, apud Linn^us. — C. murarius, Temm. — Blyth, Cat. 

 422— HOKSF., Cat. 126— Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 35, f. 1. 



The European Swift. 



Descr. — The whole plumage, except the chin and throat, which 

 are white, glossy brown-black. 



Length, 7 inches; wing ^\; ext. 15^; tail 2f, rather more forked 

 than in the last, the outer feathers being 1 inch longer than the 

 centre ones. Wing reaches nearly 2 inches beyond the tail. 



The European Swift is said by Adams to be common in Cash- 

 mere, frequenting rocky streams, and visiting the Punjab in the 

 rains. It is common in Afghanistan, and found throughout Western 

 Asia, Europe, and N. Africa. 



100. Cypselus affinis, Gray. 



Gray and Hardw., 111. Ind. Zool., 1, pi. 35, f. 2 — Sykes, Cat. 

 28— Jerdon, Cat. 255— Blyth, Cat. 426— Horsf., Cat. 124— 

 C. Nipalensis, HoDGS., J. A. S. V., 780 — C, montanus, Jerdon, 

 Suppl. Cat. 255, ter. — Ababil, Hind. — Bahila in some parts.— 

 Huwa bil-bil, at Saharunpore. 



The Common Indian Swift. 



Descr. — Above brown-black, darkest on the back, and glossed 

 with green ; head brownish, paler on the forehead ; chin, throat, 

 and rump, white; rest of body beneath, brownish-black. Bill 

 black ; feet dusky ; irides deep brown. 



Length about 5^ inches ; wing 5 ; ext. 12 ; tail 1| ; wing beyond 

 tail, 1^ ; weight 14 — 15 dwt. The tail is short, nearly even, with 

 the feathers not pointed. 



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