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hills of Benjamin, disporting themselves and often descending near the ground. They were 

 probably preparing to breed in some of the deep ravines which run down towards the Jordan. 

 From that time, throughout the summer, we rarely lost sight for many days together of this 

 noble bird. The Wady Hamam, opening into the plain of Gennesaret, was a favourite resort 

 of large flocks, which bred in fissures of the stupendous cliffs, hopelessly beyond the reach of 

 the most ardent rock-climber and nester. From their habit of selecting chinks under the 

 overhanging ledges, it was impossible, even by the aid of ropes, to reach their holes ; and could 

 they have been attained, the pick and chisel must have been applied indefatigably to reach many 

 of the nests. About daybreak they might be seen dashing in long lines with lightning speed 

 down the ravine, and exercising themselves over the plain. At this time in the morning we 

 were able occasionally to secure a specimen ; but very soon they began to rise higher and 

 higher, mingled with numbers of the two other species, till in the depth of that dark, blue, 

 cloudless sky they were at last lost even to the keenest sight. Towards evening they began 

 again to descend, and would fly lower than either of their associates, sometimes sweeping close 

 to the ground — a habit which we never observed in C. abyssinicus. They would dash past us 

 with bewildering swiftness. The sharp, grating sound of the whirr of their wings struck the 

 ear for a moment ; but the eye could scarcely follow them. However, as their flight was always 

 remarkably straight, we were able to secure several specimens as they passed us. The motion 

 of their long sharp wings was scarcely perceptible. Dr. Jerdon says that the flight of this Swift, 

 though elegant and rapid, is not nearly so powerful as that of the two Spine-tailed species. If 

 so, the speed of these latter must be a considerable improvement on the ' greased lightning ' of 

 American imagination. Near Safed we found a colony breeding in a much more accessible 

 position, evidently having young in the middle of May. We obtained several specimens, but 

 had neither time nor appliances to attempt their nests. 



" Once only did we find this Swift breeding near the ground and in an accessible posi- 

 tion ; and then we had the vexation of actually touching the eggs without being able to take 

 them. On the 2nd of May we had climbed to the summit of Jebel Jilad (Mount Gilead), 

 overlooking the deep Jordan valley from the east side, one of the grandest panoramic views in 

 Palestine. After standing for some time on a projecting platform of rock which forms the 

 western brow of the mountain, we descended to examine the face of the cliff, and discovered 

 three large and partly artificial caves immediately below us. They were a mass of fossilized 

 ammonites ; and while hammering away at these in one of the caves, out flew two Alpine Swifts, 

 whose nest we soon discovered in a crevice about six feet above the floor of the cavern. The 

 chink, which was about three inches in perpendicular diameter, was contracted by a plastering 

 of very hard mud, which cost us some labour to work out. Inside, the cavity enlarged as it 

 descended ; and after scooping away the clay and portions of the rock with a small hammer, I 

 was at length able to touch the two eggs with the tips of my fingers. Any thing for a scoop ! 

 A kingdom for a spoon ! But in vain ; and when we went up again to search for an available 

 stick, we found our companions gone and out of sight in the forest. Grievous as was the 

 disappointment, it would have been yet worse to be benighted in that wild and lawless region ; 

 and there was nothing for it but, while daylight served, to mount and follow the track of the 

 horses as rapidly as we might. We never again met with an accessible nest. Indeed this was 



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