Class II. SWIFT SWALLOW. 551 



of houses, in steeples, and other lofty build- 

 ings ; makes its nest of grasses and feathers, 

 and lays only two eggs, of a white color. 



It is entirely of a glossy dark sooty color, Descrip- 

 only the chin is marked with a white spot ; but 

 by being so constantly exposed to all weathers, 

 the gloss of the plumage is lost before it retires. 

 The feet are of a particular structure, all the 

 toes standing forward ; the lest consists of only 

 one bone ; the others of an equal number, viz. 

 two each ; in which they differ from those of all 

 other birds. 



This appears in our country about fourteen 

 days later than the sand martin; but differs 

 greatly in the time of its departure, retiring in- 

 variably about the tenth of August, being the 

 first of the genus that leaves us. I cannot trace 

 them to their winter quarters, unless in one in- 

 stance of a pair found adhering by their claws 

 and in a torpid state, in February 1766, under 

 the roof of Longnor Chapel, Shropshire: on 

 being brought to a fire, they revived and moved 

 about the room. 



Swifts appear about Pavia on the eighth of 

 April, and depart towards the twenty-fifth of 

 July ; some remain as late as September. 



The fabulous history of the Manucodiata, or 

 bird of Paradise, is in the history of this species 



