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ALPINE SWIFT. 



WHITE-BELLIED SWIFT. 



PLATE LX. 



Cypselus alpinus, SELBT. JENTNS. 



THE Alpine Swift builds its nest among high rocks in mountainous 

 districts, and in holes in the steeples of cathedrals and churches: the 

 old situation is often again resorted to. 



It is composed of straw, grass, leaves, wool, feathers, and moss, 

 cemented together with gluten, which gives it a varnished appearance. 

 The nest is said to be rather small in reference to the size of the bird, 

 and is adapted in shape to the situation in which it was placed. 



The eggs, two, three, four, or five in number, and of an elongated 

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

 after fourteen days' incubation. The young, when first able to fly, still 

 follow their parents, by whom they are for some time supplied with 

 food on the wing. 



