V 



Order II. PASSERES. 



The second Tribe, 



FISSIROSTRES DIUMJE, or Diurnal Fissirostral Birds, 

 are distinguished from the nocturnal series by the closeness of their plumage. 



The second Family, 



HIRUNDINID^, or Swallows, 



have the Bill short and weak, very broad at the base, and suddenly compressed to the tip ; the Wings 

 lengthened, narrow, and acute ; the Tail more or less forked ; and the Tarsi very short and weak. 



The first Subfamily, 



CYPSELIN^, or Swifts, 



have the Bill short, depressed, broad at the base, the sides suddenly compressed to the tip, and the 

 margins inflected ; the Nostrils large, and longitudinal on each side of the culmen ; the Wings extremely 

 long and curved ; the Tarsi short and Aveak ; the Toes short, thick, and armed with short, strong, and 

 much curved claws ; and the hind toe usually directed forwards. 



Cypselus Illig* 



Bill short and depressed, with the gape very wide, and the sides gradually compressed to- the tip, 

 which is curved ; the nostrils basal, lateral, and large, with the opening longitudinal, on each side of 

 the culmen, and the margins beset with small feathers. Wings lengthened, with the second quill 

 longest. Tail moderate, forked, or uneven. Tarsi very short, and feathered to the base of the toes. 

 Toes all directed forwards, short, thick, and armed with short, curved, and compressed claws. 



These birds, of migratory habits, prefer the warmer parts of the world. They pass most of their days on the wing, 

 for which their slender forms and lengthened wings are admirably constructed. Their flight is rapid, performed in 

 lengthened sweeps or in extensive curves, with hardly any motion of their wings. The height of their flight is regulated 

 by the state of the atmosphere : in fine weather they fly in numbers, at a great elevation in the air ; but, during gloomy 

 and damp weather, they perform their evolutions closer to the ground. They sometimes skim the surface of the water 

 in pursuit of their prey, which consists of insects. When they rest or pass the night, they generally seek holes, &c, in 

 high buildings or trees. In such places the females also form their nests, of straw or similar materials ; the interior is, 

 however, cemented together with a glutinous substance, furnished by glands which are peculiar to the birds of this 

 subfamily. The eggs are usually two in number. 



* This division was originally proposed by Scopoli, under the previously used appellation of Apus, in 1777- llliger employed the 

 above name in 1811. Two other names have since been applied to this division, viz. Micropus and Brachypus, by Wolff and Meyer. 



