ALPINE SWIFT 



WHITE-BELLIED SWIFT. 



PLATE LX. 



Cypselus melba, LINNAEUS. 



Cypselus alpinus, .... SELBY. JENYNS. 



* I A HE Alpine Swift very rarely occurs in England, being 

 1 found throughout the centre and south of Europe in 

 summer, and wintering in the south of Africa. It builds its 

 nest among high rocks in mountainous districts, and in holes 

 in the steeples of cathedrals and churches, the old situation 

 being often again resorted to. 



The nest is composed of straw, grass, leaves, wool, 

 feathers, and moss, cemented together with the mucous saliva, 

 which gives it a varnished appearance. The nest is very 

 shallow, and appears sometimes to be occupied by two pairs 

 of birds, as four eggs are sometimes contained in it. 



The eggs, two in number, and of an elongated form, are 

 white : they are laid towards the end of May, and are hatched 

 by the middle of June. The young, when first able to fly, 

 still follow their parents, by whom they are for some time 

 supplied with food on the wing. 



