328 SWALLOW. 



the wings are opened ; the inner second quills are also marked with 

 white on the inner webs; irides yellowish brown. 



This found very common at the Cape of Good Hope, more so than 

 that with the White-Throat ; it approaches houses, and is seen in the 

 same places with the Swallows, but does not mix with them ; it 

 frequently seizes on their nests to lay the eggs in, which are white, 

 and generally four ; in defect of this they lay in the holes of rocks : 

 males and females much alike. The situation of the toes in this and 

 the following are not mentioned, but from the name Martinet given to 

 the Bird, we apprehend them to be placed as in other Swifts. 



64— NIMBLE SWIFT. 



Le Martinet velocifere, Levail. Afr. v. 147. pi. 244. f. 2. 

 Swift Swallow, Shaw's Zool. x. p. 97. 



THIS is about three inches and three quarters from the bill to the 

 end of the tail. The irides are reddish, and the plumage wholly 

 black, with a gloss of blue on the under parts; bill and legs brown ; 

 tail very forked, and the wings exceed it in length two inches when 

 they are closed. 



Inhabits the Eastern Coast of the Cape of Good Hope, in the 

 winter; at least M. Levaillant saw it only at that season, and sup- 

 posed it in its passage to other parts ; for the true country of anj T 

 bird, as ButFon observes, ought to be that in which it rears its young. 

 It frequents the forests, and retires at night into the holes of trees; 

 feeds as others, on flies on the wing, and has not been observed to 

 have any note or cry whatever ; nor has ever been seen to perch on 

 the branches of trees. 



