THE GAPERS. 



US 



of the latter does not exceed two inches. The female is a trifle smaller and more slender than her 

 mate. The plumage is of a deep blackish blue, shaded with purple ; the quills and tail-feathers are 

 blackish brown; the eye dark brown, the beak blackish brown, and the foot purplish black. The 

 head of the female is brownish grey, spotted with black ; the upper part of the body is greyer in 

 tint than that of the male, and streaked with black. 



This bird is a particular favourite with the Americans, and has been described at great length 

 by many writers. According to Audubon, the Purple Swallows appear in New Orleans about 

 February, and at once come sweeping about the towns or over the streams and rivers. Near the 

 Falls of the Ohio, they are not seen till March, and in Missouri not before the middle of April. In 

 August they leave for more southern countries, assembling like their European brethren upon steeples 

 or high trees, preparatory to starting upon their travels. The flight of this species resembles that 

 of the Roof Swallow, but upon the earth and among the branches of trees its movements are far 

 more easy, and it frequently alights to seek for insects on the ground. Whilst upon the wing, 

 it often bathes and drinks in the same manner as our English Swallows, and like them seizes its 

 prey as it darts through the air. Its disposition is bold and courageous, insomuch that it will 

 frequently chase cats, dogs, Falcons, Cranes, or even Vultures, with great intrepidity. 



The nest of the Purple Swallow, which is long and flask-shaped, is formed of dry twigs, grass, 

 leaves, feathers, and other elastic materials, and is either built against a tree or placed in similar 

 situations to those selected by its congeners. The female produces two and sometimes three 

 broods, and lays from four to six purely white eggs ; the first family is fully fledged by May, and the 

 second about July. Both parents assist in the work of incubation ; the male proves himself a most 

 tender and devoted spouse, and often spends whole hours at the side of his mate, singing to her 

 with great vivacity. Should several pairs brood near the same spot, the utmost harmony prevails 

 among them. 



Pursuant to our intention of laying a natural classification of the Animal Kingdom before our 

 readers, we shall now proceed to describe the SWIFTS, although we are well aware that many 

 modern naturalists consider that they should not be grouped with the Swallows. 



The family of the SWIFTS (Cypseli) are small or moderate-sized birds, with a long slender 

 body, short neck, broad flat head, and small delicate beak, which is broad at its base, slightly curved, 

 and somewhat compressed at its tip. The gape is uncommonly wide ; the wings are narrow and 

 curved like a sabre ; the tail is very variously formed, being sometimes long, sometimes short, and 

 more or less deeply incised at its extremity ; the feet and toes are stunted, the latter armed with 

 short, powerful, and much curved claws. The plumage is thick and composed of small feathers, 

 it is usually of a dusky hue, but occasionally exhibits considerable metallic lustre. The various 

 members of this family are found throughout all the divisions of our earth, except its most northern 

 portions, and inhabit every situation from the sea-coast to the snow boundary of lofty mountain 

 ranges. From early morning till late in the evening, they may be seen skimming through the air with 

 astonishing rapidity, or soaring to such an elevation as to be almost beyond the reach of our vision. 

 So powerful are their wings that no amount of exertion appears to fatigue them ; their pinions, which 

 when extended form a crescent, are wielded with a force and rapidity rivalling the activity of the 

 Humming Birds — they dart with the velocity of an arrow upon their prey, or indulge in every 

 conceivable variety of flight or motion, as they skim through what may certainly be called their native 

 clement ; even when among the branches of trees, they display considerable agility, but are perfectly 

 helpless upon the ground. All the members of this family are of a restless disposition ; they spend 

 but a few hours of the night in repose, and require a very large amount of food to enable them to 



