114 



ALPINE SWIFT. 



WHITE-BELLIED SWIFT. 



PLATE LIX. FIG. II. 



Cijpselus alpinus, . . . Selby. Jenyns. 



The Alpine Swift builds its nest among high, rocks 

 in mountainous districts, and in holes in the steeples 

 of cathedrals and churches: the old situation is often 

 again resorted to. 



It is composed of straw, grass, leaves, wool, feathers, 

 and moss, cemented together with gluten, which gives 

 it a varnished appearance. The nest is said to be 

 rather small in reference to the size of the bird; and 

 is adapted in shape to the situation in which it is 

 placed. 



The eggs, two, three, four, or five in number, and 

 of an elongated form, are white: they are laid towards 

 the end of May, and are hatched after fourteen days 

 incubation. The young, when first able to fly, still 

 follow their parents, by whom they are for some time 

 supplied with food on the wing. 



