PICARIAN BIRDS AND PARROTS OF CEYLON. 233 
Sub-family Cypseline. 
True Swifts. 
The typical Swifts are represented in Ceylon by three species 
belonging to two genera. 
Rough Key to Species. 
A.—All four toes directed forwards. Genus Cypselus. 
(1) Size large ; wing 8°25; tail deeply forked. 
C. melba (Alpine Swift). 
(2) Size smaller; wing 5°20; a white band across 
rump ; tail almost square. 
C. affinis (Common Indian Swift). 
B.—Toes arranged in pairs ; first and second toe pointing 
inwards, third and fourth outwards; size small ; 
wing 4°4 ; tail deeply forked ; no white on rump. 
Tachornis batassiensis (Palm Swift). 
CYPSELUS MELBA (Blanford, Vol. IIT., p. 164 ; 
Legge, p. 317). 
The Alpine Swift. 
Description—Upper parts with the sides of the head and 
neck mouse-brown ; darker on the wings and tail; chin, 
throat, breast, and abdomen white; a broad, dark brown 
band across the upper breast ; wing lining and lower tail 
coverts deep brown with whitish edges. In young birds all 
the dark feathers have whitish edges. 
Bill black ; iris brown ; legs and feet livid brown. 
Length 8°5; wing 8°25; tail about 3; tarsus °55; bill 
from gape °85. 
Distribution.—Resident in the higher hills, and being a bird 
of great powers of flight, it visits all parts of the Island. The 
_ Species ranges from the Alps, Southern Europe, and Northern 
Africa, eastwards to India. 
Habits, &c.—The birds roost and breed in colonies on high 
rocky cliffs, and cover enormous distances during the day 
while hawking for insects. The cry is shrill and tremulous. 
