182 HIRUND1NID.E. 



surface of the water even after dark When satisfied, they 

 return to their hiding-places in a hole in a rock or tree, or 

 in the brickwork of an elevated building. Early in the morn- 

 ing they are again on the w T ing in pursuit of their daily 

 food. The character of this bird is very restless, wild, 

 and quarrelsome, as may be heard at night by their con- 

 tinual disputes in the air. At the breeding season also they 

 always contest for the nest or hole, attack each other furi- 

 ously, and sometimes fall together to the ground. These 

 birds are, at the same time, hardly ever found nestling in 

 a solitary place, but always, where others of its species breed, 

 in neighbouring holes. 



The power of flight in this species is very considerable, 

 and greatly exceeds that of the swallow. They are all day 

 incessantly on the wing, and fly at a wonderful speed ; their 

 appearance is very conspicuous, in consequence of their broad 

 heads, long hinder parts, and wonderfully long and pointed 

 wings, which almost form a semicircle when expanded. Their 

 flight is also very beautiful, as they seem to sail on the air, 

 with hardly any flapping of the wings, and thus wheeling 

 in large circles, mounting higher and higher, so as to become 

 lost to the eye. When they fly low, they flap their wings 

 in quick succession, and with vibrating motion. It is hardly 

 credible that after so much and continued exertion, so little 

 sleep or rest can suffice the Swift, as it actually enjoys, 

 but it is nevertheless the fact. 



Strong as the Swifts seem in point of exertion, they are 

 unable to endure cold or wet weather, which, if it lasts for 

 some days, soon after the arrival of these birds, they become 

 weak, and actually fall to the ground and die. 



Its legs are neither fit for perching nor walking ; the first 

 is consequently reduced to an uncomfortable leaning, and 

 the second a miserable crawl, which he only exhibits in his 

 high and lofty lodgings ; but for the purpose of hang- 



