20 OUR MIGRANT BIRDS 



Plumage. — Head, nape, upper parts, except rump, 

 black with purplish reflections ; under parts and rump 

 pure white. Wings and tail sooty-brown. Bill black. 

 Legs and toes covered with white downy feathers. 

 Length 5 J in. Female similar. Young, browner above 

 and under parts dingy white. 



Language. — Song, a simple twittering repetition of the 

 call-note, " szeet." 



Habits. — Much resembling the last, but not quite 

 so quick on the wing. Better able to walk, but its 

 progress is laboured. It nests in small colonies usually, 

 and returns to the same place yearly. 



Food. — Insects entirely. 



Nest. — May onwards. At least two broods. 



Site. — Against the wall of some building, generally 

 with the eaves projecting over it ; under bridges, &c. 



Materials. — Mud applied with the beak and giving a 

 wattled appearance, and in shape hemispherical with 

 entrance hole near the top ; lined with straw, dry grass, 

 and feathers. 



Eggs. — Four to six. White and slightly glossy. 



SWIFT {Cypselus apus). 



May to August. Found more or less abundantly 

 in all localities, but more infrequently towards the 

 extreme North. 



Plumage. — Generally sooty brown. Chin and throat 

 dull white Gape very wide. Wings long, pointed, and 

 sickle-shaped. Tail forked. Bill and legs black. Length 

 7 in. Femaie similar. Young, more white on throat. 



Language. — A harsh scream, like " swee-ree." 



