CYPSELID.E. 63 
Gibraltar. I know one instance of its occurrence on the 16th 
of February near Malaga ; the earliest date of arrival near 
Gibraltar was on the 15th of April^ the latest date of de- 
partiu'e the 5th of October. This species is easily known 
from the common Goatsucker by its larger size and by the 
light rufous markings at the nape of the neck ; the eggs only 
differ in being slightly larger. 
Family CvpsELiDiE. 
46. Cypselus apus, Linn. Common Swift. 
Moorish. Tair abila {Favier). Spanish. Avion. 
" This Swift arrives at Tangier^ en route for Europe, during 
March and April; vast numbers remain to nest here, and 
return south in September and October." — Favier. 
The above notes equally apply to the common Swift in 
Andalucia, the earliest date of arrival noted being the 4th of 
March, the main body passing during the last fortnight in 
that month, some as late as the 24th of April. The majority 
leave by the end of August, some staying on into the middle 
of September, the last being seen on the 16th of October. 
The number in some towns, particularly Algeciraz, is per- 
fectly marvellous, and the noise they make morning and 
evening quite annoying. 
47. Cypselus pallidus, Shelley. Mouse-coloured Swift. 
" This Swift is found near Tangier on passage, crossing to 
Europe in April and May. Some remain to breed ; but it is 
the least common of the family, being seen alone or in pairs 
in company with C. apus, which circumstance makes it diffi- 
cult to distinguish them. I found a pair in July 1861, nesting 
in company with some House-Martins {Chelidon urbica) ; 
the nest was simply an old nest of that Martin, which the 
Swifts had appropriated, and contained two eggs of the usual 
Cypselus shape, their longitudinal circumference being 64-66 
millimetres." — Favier. 
Though Favier says they are difficult to distinguish from 
the common Swift, I cannot say so myself, but rather the 
