PLATE LXXXIV. 
The Swift, 
Is a bird of paflage, as is the Swallow and the Martin ; but thefe laft do not all of them invariably 
migrate. The Swift makes his appearance the laft in thefe parts, and is one of the firft that leaves 
us. From the length of his wings the Swift is admirably calculated for flight. Their legs are very 
fliort, infomuch, that if by accident they fliould fall to the ground, they are unable to recover them- 
felves again. The place wherein they choofe to depofit their eggs, is under the thatch of an old 
houfe, and nearly out of reach. Neft they make none ; only fcratch what rubbifli together they 
may find in the thatch, which ferves as a boundary to the eggs. Thefe are five in number, of a 
moft delicate white, and fmooth, and have a very high polilh, pellucid, and are more tranfparent 
than thofe of our fmall birds in general. Their legs are Ihort, as we have already obferved, and 
feathered down to the foot, but not the toes. 
It is difficult to conceive an idea of the ftrength which they have in their claws ; and, unlefs the hand 
be defended with a glove, it may fuffer alfo from their bite. Their mouth is very large ; nature has 
formed it to take their food as they fly, which confifl;s of flies, the chief, if not the only food whereon 
they fubfift. This is poffibly the only bird which, in our climate, doth not take reft on the ground. 
The feathers, under the lower mandible, are of a ftone colour, as are thofe immediately under the 
fork. The other parts are uniformly of a dufky black. 
