THE WHITE-BELLIED SWIFT. 



131 



The bird is a native of many parts of India, and has been taken in Java and 

 Malacca. 



The true SWIFTS, of which England affords two examples, one very familiarly known, 

 and the other a very rare and almost unnoticed species, are remarkable for the feathered 

 tarsus, the long wings, and the peculiar form of the feet. In this member, all the toes are 

 directed forward, a structure which is admirably adapted to the purpose which it fulfils. 

 The Swifts build their nests, or rather lay their eggs, for the nest is hardly worthy of 

 the name, in holes under the eaves 

 of houses, or in similar localities, 

 and would find themselves greatly 

 inconvenienced when seeking ad- 



mission into their domiciles, but 

 for the shape of the feet, which 

 enables them to cling to the 

 slightest projection, and to clam- 

 ber up a perpendicular surface 

 with perfect ease and safety. In 

 one species, the White Collared 

 Swift (Cypselus Cayanensis), the 

 feet are clothed with feathers to 

 the base of the claws. 



The WHITE-BELLIED, or ALPINE 

 SWIFT is the largest of our British 

 Hirundinidse, being rather more 

 than eight inches in total length. 

 It is but rarely found in the British 

 Isles, but is common enough on 

 the continent of Europe, and in 

 many parts of Africa and Asia. 



Several specimens have been 

 taken in England, and in Mr. 

 Thompson's work on the Natural 

 History of Ireland, three examples 

 are noticed that had been shot in 

 that country, one near Dublin, 

 another in the county Cork, and 

 the third a few miles from land 

 off Cape Clear. Unlike the com- 

 mon Swift of England, which is 

 possessed of a loud and stridulous 

 note, the Alpine Swift is sweet of 

 voice ; its cry, although loud, being 

 musical in its intonation. The 

 popular name of this bird is given 

 to it on account of the white hue 

 of the under portions of its body, 

 the only exception being a broad 



dusky bar across the breast. The toes are brown with an orange tint, and the black 

 beak is longer than that of the common Swift. The general colour of its plumage is 

 brown. The nest of this bird is made in crevices of lofty cliffs or buildings, and is 

 composed of straw, hay, moss, and other substances, connected firmly together with a 

 glutinous secretion furnished by certain glands, and rendered very hard and firm when 

 the cement is dry. The eggs are four or five in number, white, and very long in pro- 

 portion to the breadth. 



K 2 



KLECHO SWALLOW. Afoorfpteryr Kleeho 



