SWIFT. 365 



classification was not sooner recognized. Though so like 

 Swallows in much of their external appearance and in many 

 of their habits, Swifts have scarcely any part of their 

 structure which is not formed on a different plan ; and, in- 

 stead of any near affinity existing between the two groups, 

 it can scarcely be doubted by an unprejudiced person that 

 the Cypselida not only differ far more from the Hirundinidte 

 than these do from any other Family of Passeres, but that 

 they belong to what, in the present state of ornithology, 

 must be deemed a distinct Order of Birds and they are 

 here included among the Picarice, as before (page 267) indi- 

 cated. In deference to the practice of British zoologists, 

 who have been so long accustomed to regard the Swallows 

 and Swifts as members of the same Family, it seems expe- 

 dient in this work to place the latter next to the former, but 

 it must be understood that they really have no relationship 

 therewith, and that in fact, except a somewhat remote con- 

 nexion with the Caprimulgidce, the only true allies of the 

 Cypselida are the Trochilida, or Humming-Birds, with 

 which they form a group that has received from Nitzsch the 

 name of Macrochires. 



The Swift comes to us from Africa, arriving sometimes 

 soon after the middle but more commonly towards the end of 

 April, or even not till the beginning of May, the variation in 

 the time of its appearance being possibly due to the state of 

 the season in the countries w r hence it takes its departure 

 or over which it passes on its way. Its stay in the British 

 Islands is comparatively short, most of the birds which 

 breed or are reared here generally leaving their home with 

 great punctuality very early in August, though stray exam- 

 ples, and sometimes considerable companies, not unfrequently 

 make their appearance during the next two months. Mr. 

 Blackwall saw a Swift October 20th, 1815, Mr. C. Bowring 

 sent the Author word of one seen by him near Con way, October 

 31st, 1855, while Mr. W. Adam records (Mag. Nat. Hist. viii. 

 p. 513) one that he saw in Perthshire, November 8th, 1834, 

 and Mr. Cornish is reported to have seen one in Devonshire, 

 November 27th, 1835. 



