The Swift 



( Cypselus apus ) LlNN^uS. 



MALE, FEMALE, NEST, EGGS, AND YOUNG. 



1 * ASILY recognised from any of the Swallow tribe by its long sickle-sbaped 

 ± — - wings and its uniform bronzy bkckisli-brown colour. Formerly these 

 birds were classed with the Swallows ; their nearest allies now are the Humming- 

 birds. 



There are two females, a male, nest and two young, and a nest and egg- 

 The nests are in situ on the actual rafters on which they were built; the- slates 

 are cut away that the former may be seen. The section of wall, &c, is a 

 reproduction in coloured plaster. The nest containing the egg is a typical one, 

 composed of a very thin shell of grass stems and a few feathers, firmly cemented 

 together by the secretions of the bird. 



The other nest is that of a House-Sparrow (which the Swifts had usurped) 

 and which, when found, contained two addled eggs of the Sparrow carefully 

 hidden an inch or more beneath the young Swifts. 



