106 



THE WHITE-BELLIED SWIFT. 



brown, tlirongli wliicli j-nns a strong tinge of greeu tliat gives a beautiful glossy aspect to tliat 

 part of the i)lumage. The throat and breast, together with the under tail-coverts, are very 

 light gray, and the abdomen, part of the scapularies, and a well-defined streak over the eye, 

 are white. 



This bird is a native of many parts of India, and has been taken in Java and Malacca. 



The true Swifts, of which one is luiown very 

 familiarly, while tlie other is a very rare and 

 almost unnoticed species, are remai'kable for the 

 feathered tarsus, the long wings, and the x^eculiar 

 form of the feet. In this member, all the toes are 

 directed forward, a structure Avhich is admirably 

 adapted to the purpose which it fulfills The 

 Swifts build their nests, or rather lay their eggs, 

 for the nest is hardly w^orth'y of the name, in 

 holes under the eaves of houses, or in similar 

 localities, and would find themselves greatly 

 inconveniehced when seeking admission into their 

 domiciles, but for tlie shape of the feet, which ena- 

 bles them to cling to the slightest projection, and 

 to clamber up a perpendicular surface with perfect 

 ease and safety. In one species, the White 

 Collared Swift {Ci/psehts cayenensis), the feet are 

 clothed with feathers to the base of the claws. 



The "White-bellied, or Alpixe Swift, 

 which the reader will find illustrated together 

 with the next bird, is the largest of the Hirundi- 

 nidfe, being I'ather more than eight inches in total 

 length. It is common on the continent of Europe, 

 and in many parts of Africa and Asia. 



Unlike the common Swift, which is possessed 

 of a loud and stridulous note, the Alpine Swift 

 is sweet of voice ; its cry, altliough 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 j^ortions oi its body, the only excep- 

 tion being a broad dusky bar across the breast. The toes are brown with an orange tint, and 

 the black lieak is longer than that of the common Swift. Tlie general color of its plumage is 

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

 of straw, hay, moss, and other substances, connected firmly together witli 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 proportion to the breadth. 



The following interesting account of the habits of this bird is given by Mr. Thomjjson : — 



KLECHO SVfMAiOW.—Dendrochetiaun longijiennii. 



"Tlie first place I met \\itli the Alpine Swift was almost ten miles to the north of Naples, 

 on the 12tli of August, 1S2G, when a great number were observed associated together in flight, 

 at a high elevation. Tlieir evolutions in the air were similar to those of a common Swift. 

 Independently of their superior size, wdiicli at once distinguishes them from that bird, tlie 

 white color of a portion of the under plumage, from which they have received the name of 

 Wliite-bellied Swift, is conspicuous, even when the bird is at a considerable altitude. 



"When on the Continent, in 1841, with my friend. Professor E. Forbes, this species was 

 first seen by us on the 9th of April, as we descended the Rhone, from Lyons to Avignon. 

 About half way between these cities, several appeared flying over the river, and a few at all 

 suitable places thence to Avignon. On the morning of the 28th of April, as we entered the 



