HIRUNDINID^. 285 



18th of August, when, about half way across (we had 

 just lost sight of Portland-bill but had not made the 

 Caskets), a considerable flock of Swifts overtook and 

 passed the steamer ; they were spread out in a long 

 line, like a line of skirmishers, reaching from west 

 to east nearly as far as we could see : the course they 

 were steering was nearly south by east, a little to the 

 eastward of our own course : this would have brought 

 them to land between Cape La Hogue and Cher- 

 bourg : they were plodding along, in a steady, busi- 

 ness-like manner, nearly against a tolerably strong 

 southerly breeze : there was none of the dashing 

 here and there, and rapid turnings and twistings, 

 which we so usually associate with the flight of the 

 Swift. This bird is not always so regular in its 

 departure as my notes would lead one to suppose, 

 for there is a note in the * Zoologist ' for 1863 which 

 records the stay of Swifts in some numbers as late 

 as the 10th of September, and a few straggling birds 

 as late as the end of the month ; and Yarrell records 

 their stay in the South of Devon as late as the 27th 

 of November. 



The nest is usually placed in a hole in some old 

 building, such as a cathedral or church-tower, or 

 some old castle or ruin, and occasionally under the 

 thatch of a cottage. Cliffs also, either by the sea- 

 side or inland cliffs like Cheddar, are also a favourite 

 haunt for these birds, and their nests are placed 

 amongst the crevices and interstices. If buildings 



