388 CYPSELIN/E. 



Sub-Family CYPSELIN/E. -SWIFTS. 



Wings very long and curved, scimitar-like ; toes short, hinder ones generally 

 directed forwards ; claws curved and sharp; tail short, of 10 feathers only; 

 rictal bristles absent ; keel of sternum large ; posteriorly entire. 



Gen. CypseluS. llliger. 



Bill with the sides gradually compressed to the tip; nostrils partially 

 feathered ; second quill longest ; tail generally forked ; tarsi short, plumed to 

 the toes ; toes all directed forward. 



950. CypseluS melba (Linn.], Edw., B. pi. 27 ; Nauw. 7">g/. 147, 

 i. ; Gould, B. Eur. pi. 53, 2 ; Jerd., B. Ind. p. 175, No. 98 ; Murray, Hdbk. 

 Zool., fyc., Sind, p. 124 ; id., Vert Zool., Sind, p. 105. The ALPINE SWIFT. 



Above wood-brown, glossy purple on the back; wings darker brown; under 

 surface white, except a broad dusky bar across the breast ; rump, on the sides, 

 under tail coverts and tarsal plumes brown ; bill black ; i rides deep brown ; 

 toes brown with an orange tinge. 



LengfA.~& to 9 inches, wing 8-5 to 875, 2*5 inches beyond the tip of the 

 tail, which is forked, and 3 inches in length ; outer feathers 3 '75- 



Hal. S.-W. Europe, Palestine, W. Asia, Africa, Greece, Beloochistan, 

 Afghanistan, Persia. In India it occurs as a migrant, passing through the 

 Punjab, N.-W. Provinces, Sind, Kutch, Kattiawar, Guzerat, and the Deccan 

 during winter. Jerdon says it is not rare in South India all along the Western 

 Ghats from Honore to Cape Comorin, extending its daily flight often to the 

 Western Coast, and occasionally eastwards to Salem, Madura, and even 

 Madras; abundant on the Neilgheries and on the Malabar Coast. 



951. CypseluS apUS (Lin.), PI. Enl. 542, I ; Naum. vogt. t. 147, 

 2; Gould, B. Eur. pi. 53, I ; Jerd., B. lnd.\. p. 177, No. 99; Hume, Sir. 

 F. i. p. 65; Murray, Hdbk., Zool., fyc., Sind, p. 125 ; id., Vert. Zool. Sind, 

 p. 105. The EUROPEAN SWIFT. 



The whole of the plumage dark sooty-black, except a greyish white patch 

 on the chin and throat. Bill, legs, toes and claws black ; irides brown ; second 

 primary longest in the wing, which reaches more than an inch beyond the tip 

 of the tail ; tail more forked than in the last. 



Length. 7 inches ; wing 6'25 ; tail 2*75. 



Hab. Europe, N. and E. Africa, W. Asia. Occurs in Persia, Beloochistan 

 and Afghanistan ; also in Sind, the Punjab, N.-W. Provinces, Kutch, Kattia- 

 war and Jodhpore as a migrant. 



952. CypseluS affitlis, Gray, III 2nd. Zool. pi. 35, 2 ; Jerd., B. 

 Ind., i. p. 177, No. 100 : Sir. F. i. p. 166 ; Murray, Zool, fyc., Sind, p. 125 ; 

 id., Vert. Zool. Sind, p. 105. The COMMON INDIAN SWIFT. 



