318 THE SWIFT. 



houses, or in similar localities, and would find themselves greatly incon- 

 venienced when seeking admission into their domiciles but for the 

 shape of the feet, which enables them to cling to the slightest projec- 

 tion, and to clamber up a perpendicular surface with perfect ease and 

 safety. 



Devoid of all pretensions to the brilliantly-tinted plumage which dec- 

 orates so many of its relations, and clad only in sober black and gray, 

 the common Swift is, nevertheless, one of the most pleasing and inter- 

 esting of the British birds, resting its claims to favorable notice upon 

 its graceful form and its unrivalled powers of wing. 



There are very few birds which are so essentially inhabitants of the air 

 as our common Swift, which cuts the atmosphere with its sabre-like 

 wings with such marvellous ease and rapidity that at times its form is 

 hardly discernible as it shoots along, and it leaves the impression of a 

 dark black streak upon the eyes of the observer. The plumage of 

 this bird is constructed especially with a view to securing great speed, 

 as may be seen by an inspection of the closely-set and firmly-webbed 

 feathers with which the entire body and limbs are clad. The muscles 

 which move the wings are enormously developed, and in consequence 

 the breast-bone is furnished with a remarkably strong and deep 

 " keel." 



The flight of the Swift is quite peculiar to the bird, and cannot be 

 mistaken for even that of the swallow by any one who has a practical 

 acquaintance with the habits of the two species. The Swnft does not 

 flap its wings so often as the swallow, and has a curious mode of shoot- 

 ing through the air as if hurled from some invisible bow, and guiding 

 itself in its headlong course by means of its wings and tail. 



This indefatigable bird is an early riser, and very late in returning 

 to rest— later, indeed, than any of the diurnal birds. Though engaged 

 in flight during the livelong day, the Swift appears to be proof against 

 fatigue, and will, during the long summer days, remain upon the wing 

 until after nine in the evening. As the days become shorter the Swift 

 is found to retire earlier, but during its stay in this country it is almost 

 invariably later than other birds, sometimes being on the wing together 

 with the owl. Indeed, the air seems to the Swift even a more familiar 

 element than the earth, and the bird is able to pass the whole of 

 Its life, and to perform all the bodily functions, except those of 

 sleep, while upborne on the untiring pinions with which it is furnished. 

 The Swift that has a nest to take care of is forced to descend at inter- 

 vals for the purpose of supplying its family with food, but, except when 

 urged by such considerations, it is able to remain in the air for many 

 successive hours without needing to rest. 



The Swifts may generally be found near buildings, rocks, and clifls, 

 for m such localities they build their nests, and from their home they 



