The Swift 



four toes all directed forward and having sharp, recurved 

 nails, which enable them to cling to perpendicular surfaces. 

 Length 6 '5 in. ; wing 6 '8 in. It is generally abundantly 

 distributed throughout our islands, but becomes scarcer in 

 the North. It winters in Africa. 



THE ALPINE SWIFT 



Cypselus melba, Linnaeus 



This is a much larger species than our common Swift 

 and has only visited these islands on very rare occasions, 

 almost all the examples obtained having been taken in the 

 south of England. It breeds in the high mountain ranges 

 of Central and Southern Europe, and winters in Africa. 

 From our common species it may be distinguished by its 

 larger size, browner colour, and light under parts. Length 

 8 in. ; wing 8 '4 5 in. 



Another species, the Needle-tailed Swift (AcantTiyllis 

 caudacuta) has occurred on two occasions in England. It 

 breeds in Central Asia, migrating in winter to Australia, 

 and except for these two instances is unrecorded from 

 Europe. 



THE NIGHTJAR 



Caprimulgus europaeus (Linnaeus) 



Arriving, the latest of all our migrants, towards the 

 middle of May, and leaving again early in September, this 



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