124 cassell's book of birds. 



All the mountains of Southern Europe, and a large part of Asia, afford a home to the Alpine 

 Swift ; it is, however, rarely met with in the central or northern parts of the European continent. 

 According to Jerdon, it is by no means uncommon in India, around the Ghauts, and Neilgherries, 

 and on the Malabar coast ; it is also sometimes seen near Madras ; and all parts of Africa are visited 

 by these birds during the course of their migrations. Although the favourite resorts of this species 

 are in the mountains in Switzerland, it constantly frequents the steeples of the churches, appearing 

 in that country about the end of March, and only leaving for warmer regions in October. We have 

 been informed by the monks upon Montserrat that the Alpine Swift has been seen from time to 

 time near their cloisters throughout the entire winter. In most particulars of its life and habits this 

 bird closely resembles the Steeple Swift, but it is capable of mounting to even a still greater height 

 in the air. Its voice resembles that of the Kestrel. Like its congeners it is eminently social, and 

 generally flies about in considerable flocks ; we have seen thousands at a time swarming around 

 the summit of Montserrat, and Jerdon tells us that they congregate in similar multitudes on the 

 heights of some Indian mountains. Their nests are built in holes of rocks, steeples, or similar 

 situations ; they are formed externally of twigs, upon which are laid leaves, straw, rags, paper 

 cuttings, or other materials of like description, the whole being consolidated by means of the 

 glutinous spittle to which we have so frequently alluded. The three elongated white eggs that 

 form the brood are laid at the end of May ; the nestlings are hatched by the middle of June, and 

 are fully fledged by the last week in July. 



The NIGHT JARS or GOATSUCKERS (Caprimidgi) constitute a family of very remarkable 

 birds, in some respects resembling the Swallows and Swifts, but differing from them in many 

 important particulars. Some species fully equal the Raven in size, whilst others, on the contrary, 

 are not larger than a Lark ; in all, the body is elongate, the neck short, the head large, broad, and 

 flat, the eye prominent. The beak is broad, short, and tapers towards its tip, which is much 

 compressed ; the jaws are unusually large, and the gape wide ; the legs are weak, the tarsi short and 

 covered with horny plates, the upper part being occasionally feathered, or quite bare. The toes vary 

 considerably in different species, but are usually weak and short, the centre one only being well 

 developed ; this middle toe is sometimes furnished with a large serrated claw. The wings are long 

 and pointed, but not to such a degree as those of the Swallow, the second and third quills, instead of 

 the first, generally exceeding the rest in length. The tail is formed of ten feathers, and differs 

 considerably as to its shape ; the plumage, like that of the Owl, is soft, and composed of large 

 feathers ; it is usually dark in colour, but much variegated and very delicately marked. The base of 

 the beak is covered with a very remarkable growth of stiff bristles, and the eyes are surrounded with 

 short but thick lashes. In some species the males have long and peculiarly formed feathers in the 

 region of the tail and on the wings. 



The Night Jars, or Fern Owls, as they are sometimes called, are found throughout all divisions 

 of our globe, with the exception of its most northern latitudes ; two species are met with in Europe, 

 and others occur in America, Africa, and Asia. Though thus spread over the face of the earth, the 

 actual habitat of this group is somewhat limited ; certain amongst them occupy mountains, others 

 frequent desert tracts or fruitful plains, but all keep to a certain extent within the limits of their 

 appointed domain, their plumage being usually coloured so as to harmonise and blend with the 

 tints of the rocks, sand, or tree trunks, among which they pass the greatest portion of their lives. 

 Such of these birds as dwell in tropical forests do not migrate ; and the greater number skim over the 

 surrounding country at certain seasons ; but all those inhabiting northern latitudes withdraw in the 

 autumn towards the south. It is only during these migratory excursions — which often extend as 



