32 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



approach of autumn. Althouoh a large portion of the migrants pass 

 on northwards, many remain and breed in the Regency, selecting the 

 higher mountains and most inaccessible spots for that purpose. 



The Alpine Swift is eminently a mountain species, and in the 

 midst of such surroundings as these, may be seen to the greatest 

 advantage, no bird seeming more in its element than this fine Swift, 

 as it dashes past on its powerful wings, and circles round and round 

 the precipitous cliffs, where its nest is placed. 



The species occurs commonly both in Algeria and Marocco, as well 

 as in Tunisia, and probably breeds in both those countries. 



During the early days of April I met with many of these Swifts 

 on migration, crossing the low ranges of hills to the west of Gafsa, 

 and as the birds were flying at a comparatively low altitude, was able 

 to secure a few specimens. 



At Gafsa itself, and also at Ain Rhorab, near Kairouan, I have 

 seen lai-ge numbers of Alpine Swifts at different times during the 

 month of April. 



The cry, or note of the species, is loud and harsh, and may 

 constantly be heard. Its food consists entirely of winged insects. 



Like other Swifts, the present species commences nesting rather 

 late in the spring, and apparently only one brood is reared in the 

 season. As I have already stated, in Tunisia the species breeds in 

 inaccessible spots among the higher mountains, but in Southern 

 Europe it will sometimes select a high tower or other similar building 

 as a site for its nest, and Mr. Howard Saunders says that the species 

 formerly bred annually in the old Cathedral at Berne (Man. Brit. 

 Birds, p. 253). I have never succeeded in actually taking a nest and 

 eggs of this Swift in Tunisia, but they are no doubt identical with 

 those obtained in Europe, the nest being saucer-like, and constructed 

 of straw and feathers felted together with mud, and agglutinated with 

 the bird's saliva, while the eggs, two to four in number, are pure 

 unglossed white, and measure about 30 X 19 mm. 



