136 MACROCHIRES: Goatsuckers, Swifts, and Hummingbirds 



MICROPODID^E ("small-footed" birds; Family Swifts) : Small 

 birds that in the air often associate with and somewhat re- 

 semble Swallows. Bill very short and gape large, as in other 

 wing-feeding insect-eaters. 



VAUX SWIFT 



(424. Chaetura vauxi) 5 in. 



Entirely sooty brown, lighter below. 



In migration often occurs with swallows, from which it is 

 quickly distinguished by color, by slender wings, held straight 

 out from the body, by its rapid wing-beats, and by more direct 

 flight. 



Note: a rapid twitter. 



The naked spines of the tail-tip, invisible of course in the field, 

 serve to support the bird when clinging to vertical surfaces. 



WHITE-THROATED SWIFT 



(425. Aeronautes melanoleucus) 6| in. 



Throat and chest white; flanks white; a white strip on middle 

 line of body from throat to flanks, not always perfect; otherwise 

 wholly blackish or brownish black. 



The unusual color-pattern, seen from below, is in itself ample 

 identification of this species. It has also the same rapid action 

 of stiffly-held wings as others of the Swift family. 



BLACK SWIFT See Appendix. 



(422. Cypseloides niger borealis) 7 in. 



