CYPSELIN A. 85 
Above, the whole plumage glossy green-black, except the 
rump, which is pure white, and the upper tail-coverts which are 
also white, the outermost being tipped black ; the throat, cheeks, 
and breast pale grey, gradually passing into black on the sides 
of the body ; belly and under tail-coverts pure white. 
Tickell was the first naturalist who observed this species, and he 
states that, in Central India, “it haunts open cultivated grounds 
in the midst of forest ; also the cleared patches on the sides 
and summits of hills.” 
Sus-FAMILY, Cypseline. 
Bill very small, much hooked; wings excessively long and 
pointed ; tail usually short, of ten feathers only ; hind-toe directed 
inward but reversible to the front. 
Gents, Cypsellus, Zliger. 
Wing, with the first quill equal to the second, or the second 
longest ; tail emarginate, or forked; tarsus feathered, in front at 
all events; toes and claws nearly equal, short, robust ; hallux 
directed inwards and forwards, not opposable. 
Cypsellus melba, Lin. 
98.—Jerdon’s Birds of India, Vol. I, p. 175; Butler, Deccan ; 
Stray Feathers, Vol. IX, p. 379; Guzerat, Stray Feathers, Vol. 
III, p. 453 ; Murray’s Vertebrate Zoology of Sind, p. 104. 
THE ALPINE SWIFT. 
Length, 9; expanse, 19°5 ; wing, 8°5; tail (moderately forked) 3. 
Bill blackish ; irides deep-brown; legs and toes livid-purple. 
Above wood-brown, glossed with purple on the back; wings 
somewhat darker ; beneath the chin, throat, and abdomen white ; 
a wide pectoral band brown ; sides of the rump, tarsal plumes, 
and under tail-coverts also brown. 
The Alpine Swift oaly occurs as a somewhat rare cold weather 
visitant to most parts of the region, but is rather more common 
in the more hilly districts. 
; Cypsellus apus, Lin. 
99.—Jerdon’s Birds of India, Vol. I, p. 177; Murray’s Vertebrate 
Zoology of Sind, p. 105. 
THE EUROPEAN SWIFT. 
Length, 7; extent, 15:5; wing, 6:25; tail, 2°62. 
The whole plumage, except the chin and throat, which are 
white, glossy brown-black; the tail is rather more forked than 
in the last; and the wings extend two inches beyond the tail. 
The European Swift only occurs as a cold weather visitant 
to some parts of Sind. It has not been recorded from any other 
portion of the district, 
