PIC A RIM. ( 256 ) CYPSELIDM. 



THE SWIFT. 



BLACK MARTIN, SCREECH, DEVILING. 



Gypselus apus. 

 %\)z Cran. 



To mark the Swift in rapid giddy ring 

 Rush round the steeple, unsubdued of wing. 



Gilbert White. 



The Swift is later in coming to the county than the three 

 species of Swallows ; not usually making its appearance until 

 about the second or third week of May, when it may be 

 seen frequenting its accustomed haunts, such as old castles 

 and towers, steeples, and other lofty buildings, as well as 

 old houses in villages and towns. Amongst its favourite 

 resorts may be mentioned Hume Castle ; Cockburnspath 

 Tower ; Evelaw Tower ; and Dryburgh Abbey. At the 

 last-mentioned place especially, it may be seen in great 

 numbers ; wheeling aloft on the wing, and from time to 

 time rushing round the beautiful ruins of the old monastery, 

 uttering its harsh screams, and entering the holes in the 

 mouldering walls where it nests. 



This bird comes to us from Africa late in spring, and 

 migrates southwards again in August or early in September. 

 It constructs a slight nest of pieces of straw and a few 



