winter they are more frequently seen, in which case they locate 
themselves usually in caves at a lower elevation in Sikkim. In spring 
they retire to places nearer the snow line. 
(100) CypseLtts AFFINIS, Common Indian Swift. Though it is 
found in most parts of India, you are hardly likely to meet it in the 
district, as it keeps to the plains. 4 ffinis breeds in caves, cliffs and 
rocks in big numbers on the Eastern Ghauts, in not a few instances; 
in places not far from the sea. Their flight is vigorous, perhaps 
not so well sustained as the spine-tails and alpine swift or dcanthy- 
lis Caudacuta (97). A ffinis is 53 inches in length and wings 5 inches 
so that as far as length goes, swifts appear to be all wing, tip of 
which reaches considerably beyond the tail; toes are reversible, 
backwards or forwards; tarsus feathered more so in front; toes 
and claws short, strong and serviceable; wings Ist and 2nd quills the 
longest ; tail short. Colour above is brownish black with a greenish 
gloss ; back darker ; head brown; throat and rump white ; under- 
parts of the body brownish black. 
(101) CypseLus Leuconyx, White-clawed Swift, is rare and only 
occasionally met with either in Darjeeling or the district ; usually 
in spring or autumn. In size it is bigger than «affints; but similar 
in colour, excepting the glossy brown it has about the darker parts 
of the plumage, the feathers are tipped light; tail more forked. 
Leuwonyr is 64 inches in length; feet small ; claws white. When 
observed it is near the forest. It keeps much to low scrub jungle 
where it skims over in its hunts for insects, and the more wooded 
parts of the country. It is perhaps more frequently met with on 
the Singalillas and north Sikkim. 
1 
(103) CottocaLiA Nipreica, Tidian Edible-nest Swiftlet. Is an 
interesting species, more so owing to the typical construction, and 
edible nature of its nest, which is made of mucus from the salivary 
glands of these swiftlets, curiously interlaced. When fresh it has 
an opaque bluish white colour. Nests which are used the succeeding 
years, get mixed with feathers and other substances, as the birds 
patch, add and generally do up their abodes for the prospective fresh 
arrivals. These nests are usually constructed in deep roomy caves 
or enclosures among the rocks, nidifica build in colonies and crowd 
their nest together, on the sides, and roofs of these places. These 
swiftlets are of small size about 5 inches in length ; mouse brown in 
colour tinged with green; beneath, the under plumage: is pale ; 
dark in colour on the top cf the head, wings and tail. Edible-nest 
Swiftlets have great powers of endurance judging from their long 
sustained flight. They travel with rapidity and appear to rest rarely 
except when they get safe home again. Like the bees no matter how 
far a field they have wandered they select the straightest Hne home 
