SWALLOW. 327 



62 —WHITE-THROATED SWIFT. 



Le Martinet a Gorge blanche, Levari. Afr. v. 143. pi. 243. Skate's Zoof. x. p. 99. 



THIS is a trifle larger than the White-bellied Swift, but is 

 probably a distinct species from that bird. The bill is black brown, 

 and the gape wide; irides yellowish brown; plumage on all the 

 upper parts of the bird dull brown, having a tinge of grey in certain 

 lights, but the quills are darker; as also the tail, which is greatly 

 forked, the edges of the feathers pale; throat pure white; lower part 

 of the neck and breast the same as the upper parts ; middle of the 

 belly and vent dirty white; under edge of the wing white; legs and 

 toes covered with pale down. 



The female differs, in having the colours paler and less distinct. 

 This is common in every part of Africa, in troops, flying with vast 

 rapidity, with the same cry as our Swift. It builds in the rocks, and 

 lays four perfectly white eggs. Colonists at the Cape call it Wilsde 

 Swaluu (Wild Swallow) whereas the Swallow in common is named 

 Make Swaluu (Domestic Swallow). 



It differs from the Common Swallow in the capability of placing 

 the hind toe forwards, with the other three, at will : the Swifts have 

 in general ten feathers only in the tail; the Swallows twelve; but 

 the chief character is, that the Martinets have the feathers short, and 

 of the nature of water birds, whereas, in the Swallows they are finer, 

 and more downy : it is observed too, that the Martinets are never 

 better pleased than in the rainy and stormy season, which they seem 

 to enjoy ; whereas, the Swallows, though not displeased with soft 

 rain, yet cannot withstand any thing like a storm. 



63 — WHITE-RUMPED SWIFT. 



Le Martinet & Croupion blanc, Levari. Afr. v. 146. pi. 244. 1. Shaw's Zool. x. 98. 



SIZE of our Common Swift, and not unlike in colour, but the 

 sides of the rump are white ; which, however, is not observed, except 



