CLXI. 

 CYPSELUS ALPINUS. 



Alpine Swift. White-bellied Swift. 



No wonder that the Alpine Swift should sometimes visit 

 our shores, since it is common throughout a great part of 

 the southern continent of Europe, and gifted with a speed 

 of wing which would set distance at defiance. Its flight is 

 said to be even swifter than that of our well-known species. 



It is met with in some parts of France, Spain, Italy and 

 Switzerland. It breeds, like our own species, in high 

 rocks, ruins, and in church-steeples, and Mr. Yarrell says 

 pays yearly visits for that purpose to the rocks in the can- 

 ton of Geneva, the cathedral at Fribourg and the steeple of 

 Berne. I remember watching for it eagerly in the neigh- 

 bouring districts of Lucerne and Zurich, but without en- 

 joying the gratification which I sought. 



This Swift makes a nest similar to the commoner species, 

 of pieces of straw firmly cemented together by some gluti- 

 nous matter, and lined with feathers, in which it lays from 

 three to five eggs. 



