THE GAPERS. 



123 



first or second of May, and usually leave about the first of August. Such of them as are seen after 

 that period find their way to us from more northern countries, having been left behind by their 

 companions. The migrations of these birds are undertaken in large flocks and are usually commenced 

 at midnight. Like all its congeners, the Steeple Swift is extremely restless, active, and lively in 

 disposition, but differs considerably in its habits from all other members of its family. The air 

 is its home, and almost its entire life is passed upon the wing. From early morning it may be 

 seen, either sailing through the sky at a considerable height, or skimming along in its tortuous 

 course as it pursues its insect prey. In general, however, it is only towards evening, or if the 

 sky be wet or cloudy, that it approaches the surface of the earth. Such of these birds as inhabit 

 the Canary Islands are an exception to this rule, for, according to Bolle, they invariably seek the 

 shelter of their holes for a couple of hours during the forenoon. So extremely awkward are the 

 movements of this species when upon the ground, that it is commonly supposed to be unable to rise 

 if it should chance to alight on terra firma. This idea is, however, incorrect, for with the aid of 

 its wings it is enabled to make a violent spring, and thus recommence its flight. The feet of the 

 Swift are almost useless for walking; they are, however, invaluable assistants to the bird when 

 climbing, and the sharp claws with which they are armed are most formidable weapons of defence 

 against its adversaries. The sight and hearing of the Steeple Swifts is excellent, but in every other 

 respect they are far below their congeners, with whom they live in a constant state of warfare ; even 

 towards their own species they exhibit the same violent and revengeful disposition, falling upon 

 and clawing each other with such violence as often to tear .the flesh from their opponent's breast. 

 We ourselves have seen the males become so excited in these encounters, as to permit us to approach 

 and seize them with our hands, and Naumann mentions having observed one of these birds dart like 

 a Falcon upon a Sparrow quietly picking up worms in a field, and attack it with such fierceness- 

 that the terrified little creature sought refuge between the feet of a man who was standing near 

 the spot. 



Steeples, lofty edifices, and in some countries rocks, are the situations preferred by this 

 species when about to build. The nest is constructed of hay, dry leaves, blades of grass, or even 

 bits of rag, cemented into a solid mass by the saliva from the builder's beak. The two or at most 

 three eggs that constitute a brood are white, elongate, and of the same breadth at botir ends. The 

 female begins to lay at the end of May ; she alone performs the work of incubation, and is fed by 

 her mate if the weather be fine ; should it, however, be wet, she is compelled to leave her littla 

 family, and go herself in pursuit of insects, as the male can only provide for his own requirements. 

 The young grow very slowly and remain for many weeks under parental care, indeed, they are 

 rarely fully fledged until the end of August. It is by no means uncommon for these birds to avoid 

 all the trouble attendant on nidification, by setting upon and worrying a Starling or Sparrow until they 

 have compelled it to resign its little domicile ; under these circumstances, if the eggs of the late 

 occupier have been already laid, the marauder simply covers them with a layer of some elastic 

 material, and on this the female deposits her brood. These Swifts subsist almost entirely on insects, 

 and usually require a large supply of food ; they can, however, occasionally fast for a lengthened 

 period. 



THE ALPINE SWIFT. 



The Alpine Swift (Cypsdus Melbd) is considerably larger and more powerful than the bird 

 last described, its length being about eight, and its breadth from nineteen to twenty inches ; the 

 wing measures eight and the tail three inches. The plumage of this species is dusky greyish brown 

 above, and white upon the throat and belly ; the rings around the eyes are deep brown, and the 

 feet and beak black. The young are recognisable by the light edge upon their feathers. 



