58 SWIFT NIGHTJAR. 



space at back of lores yellowish white. Nape, mantle, and 

 tail vinaceous brown. Wing-coverts tipped with white ; under 

 parts dull white, streaked with brown on flanks. Bill and legs 

 black. Length 7 in. Female, smaller and less black on head; 

 duller throughout. 



Language. Song, short but melodious, delivered either on 

 the ground or when soaring. 



Habits. Except when soaring it spends nearly all its time 

 on ground, seldom perching. Generally seen here in flocks. 



Food. Insects and their larvae, small mollusca and crus- 

 tacea ; seeds, &c., in winter. 



Nidiftcation. Breeds in Northern Europe, Asia, and America. 



ORDER PICARL4E. 

 Family CYPSELID^E. 

 SWIFT (Cypselus aims). 



Migrant ; May to August. Found more or less abundantly in 

 all localities, but more infrequently towards the extreme North. 



Plumage. Generally sooty brown. Chin and throat dull 

 white. Gape very wide. Wings long, pointed, and sickle- 

 shaped. Tail forked. Bill and legs black. Length 7 in. 

 Female, similar. Young, white areas less pure. 



Language. A harsh scream, like " swee-ree." 



Habits. One of the most aerial of birds, and flying with 

 extreme rapidity. Especially active in sultry weather, and 

 most susceptible of cold. Practically incapable of walking, 

 and never perches. 



Food. Insects captured on the wing. 



Nest. May. One brood. 



tiite. In holes in ruins, church towers, and sea-cliffs, under 

 slates of roofs, &c. 



Materials. Straw, grass, feathers, moss and wool, cemented 

 together with its adhesive, inspissated saliva. Eude, flat, and 

 ill-compacted. 



Eggs. Two or three. White, rough in texture and oval in 

 shape. 



Family CAPRIMULGID^. 

 NIGHT JAE (Caprimulgus europceus). 



Migrant ; mid-May to September. Most abundant in the 

 southern counties ; rarer towards the North. 



Haunts. Commons, moors, stony wastes, &c. ; near woods. 



Plumage. Ash-grey, barred and spotted with black, brown, 

 and cinnamon ; white tips to the outer tail-feathers, and large 



