THE SWIFT. 269 
SWALLOWS. 
THE close-set plumage of the SwaLtow tribe, their long sickle-like wings, 
their stiff, firm tail, forked in most of the species, and their slight legs and 
toes, are characteristics which mark them out as birds which spend the 
greater part of their existence in the air, and exercise their wings far more 
than their feet. 
They all feed upon insects, and capture their prey in the air, ascending at 
one time to such a height that they are hardly perceptible to the naked eye, 
and look merely like tiny dots moving upon the sky ; while at other seasons 
they skim the earth and play for hours together over the surface of the water, 
in chase of the gnats that emerge in myriads from the streams. The gape 
of the mouth is therefore exceedingly great in these birds, reaching as far as 
a point below the eyes. The bill itself is very short, flattened, pointed, 
slightly curved downwards, and broad at the base. 
SwIFT.—(Cypselus apus.) 
The group which is scientifically termed the Hirundinidz is a very large 
one, and is divided into two lesser groups, the members of one being classed 
together under the title of Swifts, while the others are known by the name of 
Swallows. With the former birds we have first to deal. 
The SWIFTS are readily distinguished from the Swallows by the very great 
comparative length of the two first primary feathers of the wing, which are 
either equal to each other, or have the second feather longer than the first. 
The secondaries are remarkably small, being nearly concealed under the 
coverts. There are ten primaries in the wing, and the same number of quill 
feathers in the tail. ; 
The true SWIFTS, of which England affords two examples, one very fami- 
liarly known, and the other a very rare and almost unnoticed species, are 
remarkable for the feathered tarsus, the long wings, and the peculiar form of 
the feet. In this member, all the toes are directed forward, a structure which 
is admirably adapted to the purpose which it fulfils. The Swifts build their 
nests, or rather lay their eggs, for the nest is hardly worthy of the name, in 
holes under the eaves of houses, or in similar localities, and would find them- 
