THE SWIFT. 



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THE SWIFT. 



The SWIFT (Cypselus Apus) is easily distinguishable from 

 its companions, the swallows and martins, by its greater 

 size, its dark colour, and its long and powerful wings. See 

 how these birds gyrate through the air at one time so far 

 above us as to be scarcely visible. See them hunting for 

 flies in mid-air, at the same time having fine fun amongst 

 themselves, chasing each other and shrieking. The rapidity 

 of their flight is amazing. You may have been watch- 

 ing them one moment, and in the next there is not one 

 to be seen all have disappeared ; and then, before you 

 have done wondering where they could have gone to, 



