SO COMMON LKJ1 1SH BIRDS 



SWALLOW. (S.M. Swallows.) 



Size. Sparrow. 



Colour. Above glossy blue-black, forehead and chin 

 chestnut, upper breast black, under parts white, tinged 

 with reddish. Tail deeply forked ; outer feathers long 

 and narrow. When tail is expanded, it shows white 

 spots on the tips of the feathers. 



Note. A low, twittering song. 



Distinguishing Feature. The uniform blue- black upper 

 plumage, with deeply forked tail. 



Nest. Built of clay in outhouses, barns, &c. Open 

 at the top, lined with feathers. 



Eggs. White, with dark red-brown spots. 



Haunts. Seen everywhere. 



SWIFT. (S.M. Swifts.) 



Size. Sparrow, large. 



Colour. Sooty black, chin greyish, 



Note. A shrill scream, heard as the birds chase each 

 other through the air at great speed. 



Distinguishing Feature. The uniform dark colour 

 and long knife-like wings. The Swift exhibits a won- 

 derful command of the air, being able to alter its 

 course, to rise or desce- d, with hardly a visible motion 

 of the extended wings, but apparently by merely 

 changing the inclination of the wings and tail to the 

 currents of the upper air. At another time a screaming 

 company of Swifts will dash like black meteors with 

 rapidly beating pinions, skimming round the old church- 

 tower or other lofty building where they are wont to 

 have their nesting-places, making the air resound with 

 their harsh screams. The Swift's wings are so long 

 and the legs so short that if by chance it alights on the 

 flat ground it is often unable to rise. 



Nest. In hole in wall or under eaves, made of straw 

 and a few feathers which are picked up on the wing. 



Eggs. Two only, pure white. 



Haunts. Most inhabited districts where buildings 

 suitable for nesting-sites exist. 



THRUSH, MISSEL. (R. Thrushes.) 



Size. Larger than the Blackbird. 

 Colour. Head and back greyish-brown, lower back 

 and upper tail-coverts lighter and slightly tinged with 



