145 



THE SWIFT. 



Cypselus apus (L.). 



This bird entered the country along the whole of the south 

 coast. 



The earliest arrivals were recorded on the 27th of April, 

 when three were seen at Hartland Point light, North Devon, 

 and two in Derbyshire. 



From that date there was a steady influx of Swifts into 

 the country, from Cornwall to Kent. These spread rapidly 

 northwards, reaching Shropshire on the 28th, Cheshire, 

 Lancashire and Cumberland on the 30th, and Northumber- 

 land and Westmoreland on the 1st of May. 



After that date their numbers were much increased 

 throughout the kingdom. Up till the 18th of May hardly 

 a day passed without records of fresh arrivals on the south 

 coast, whilst the reports sent by inland observers showed 

 that bands of immigrants were passing in a steady stream 

 through the country. It was therefore scarcely possible to 

 trace the various ' waves' of immigration. 



Two nests with eggs were observed in Westmoreland on 

 tlic 30th of May, but these were the only nesting-records 

 received. 



For the sake of clearness, only the first records of the main 

 immigration are showm on the map. 



Chronological Summaky of the Records. 



April 27. North Devon lights. Derby. 



„ 28. North Devon lights. Dorset, Shropshire, Derby 

 and Denbigh (several). Kent (tew). Isle of 

 Wight. 



