SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR BIRD STUDY. 



125 



about 16J inches, is brownish black in colour with a slight 

 dull greyish white patch at the throat. Swifts are insect 

 feeders. They arrive about the beginning of May and 

 leave about the end of August. They nest in holes under 

 eaves of houses, in towers, steeples, etc. The eggs are 

 pure white, about one inch in length, two or three in 

 number. 



Fig. 38. Swift. Note the very long scythe-like wings. 



The Swift is readily distinguished even on the wing 

 from the Swallow by the great sweep of the scythe-like 

 wings and the uniformly dull colour (Fig. 38). 



Make drawings to show the outline of Swallow (male 

 and female), Martin, and Swift. Note the general resem- 

 blance in the shape of bill. 



WOOD PIGEON (E.). This bird, which is known under 

 a variety of names, Eingdove, Cushat, etc., is about 18 

 inches long. The head and fore part of neck is slaty blue ; 

 neck at back greyish with green and purplish-red reflec- 

 tions ; on each side of the neck is a large whitish patch. 

 The back is greyish brown anteriorly, slaty behind. Breast 

 reddish, abdomen light coloured, wings brownish to slaty 



