270 RURAL BIRD LIFE. 



THE SWIFT. 



So like the Swallow in appearance, habits, and re- 

 quirements, the Swift is but only a distant relation. 

 Formerly this bird was thought to be nothing more than 

 a kind of Swallow ; but since anatomy has gone hand 

 in hand with the science of ornithology, naturalists have 

 found that the Swift is widely separated from it. But 

 leaving the subject to the study of those well versed 

 in ornithology, as the present little volume is for be- 

 ginners, and only endeavours to treat with the habits of 

 birds alone, we will return to the life history of this 

 aerial songster. 



The Swift is one of the latest migratory birds to 

 arrive, for we seldom see him before the first week in 

 May, sometimes much later, according to the state of the 

 weather. He delights in the cultivated districts, and is 

 found in the company of Swallows and Martins. Round 

 the ancient towers of cathedrals and churches in the 

 country towns, we see them in large numbers making 

 the still air resound with their sharp shrieking notes. 



A bird gifted with great powers of flight is the Swift, 

 even more so than the Swallow. When in the air he 

 bears no resemblance to any other British bird, except- 

 ing perhaps the Swallow ; but even then the difference 

 is very striking. When flying he is very similar to a 

 crescent, pierced with a short dagger or spear, which 

 represents the body of the bird, and the wings form 



