304 BRITISH BIRDS. 
weather prevented my seeing them. In the course of a week, however, 
I had the gratification of seeing one so near that the white throat, the 
white under the tail, as well as the pale patch on the back, were plainly 
visible. I noticed then that it sought its food indiscriminately amongst 
the Swifts, Swallows, and Martins, and was not particular about confining 
itself to one stratum of atmosphere as the other species did ; for it is well 
known that if Swifts and other species are feeding at the same time, they 
seldom mingle with each other or occupy the same height in the air. [also 
observed that the bird in question often had a sort of poising flight, 
reminding one of the Nightjar, but at other times it had an equal, if not 
superior, dash of wing to the Common Swift; and I could well understand 
this when, a few days later, I held in my hand what I have every reason 
to believe was one of the two birds I had seen; for its length of wing, 
coupled with its superior weight, would give it such an impetus as I have 
described.” 
The Needle-tailed Swift breeds in South-east Siberia, Hast Mongolia, 
Japan, North China, East Tibet, and the Eastern Himalayas ; it passes 
through South China, and probably New Guinea, on migration, and 
winters in East Australia and Tasmania. David afd Oustalet state that 
this species is found in Kamtschatka, but I am unable to find any autho- 
rity for this locality; Schrenck and Radde found it on the Amoor; 
Dybowsky records it from Lake Baikal; and my Siberian collector has 
sent me several specimens from Krasnoyarsk, which appears to be the 
most westerly limit of its breeding-range in Siberia. 
Comparatively little is known of the habits of this charming and 
interesting bird. It is said to arrive at its breeding-quarters about the 
end of April or the first half of May. On migration the Needle-tailed 
Swift does not appear to fly in compact flocks, but in a scattered party, 
keeping close to the ground, and at these periods is often seen in company 
with other Swifts. It leaves for the south again early in autumn, mostly 
going in August ; but a few still linger into September after the great bulk 
have departed, as is the case with our own Swift. Prjevalsky saw this 
bird on autumn migration in Mongolia in such numbers that they were 
passing overhead for a whole day in one almost incessant stream. The 
haunts chosen by this singular bird are amongst the mountains, on forest- 
clad hills, deep ravines, and passes; but as it possesses such enormous 
powers of flight, it may frequently be seen on the plains, on a visit from 
its rocky home far above them. It is also very probable that the bird in 
many cases only haunts the rocks for breeding purposes, and hawks for 
its prey over the wooded low-lying country. It is often seen in small 
parties busily skimming about im search of food, sometimes quite low, 
and at others at an immense height, according to the whereabouts of the 
insects on which it feeds. 
