OF BIRDS. 
213 
teen inches long, though the entire weight of the bird is 
not more than one x ounce. The whole plumage a sooty 
black, except the throat, which is white. The feet, which 
are so small, that the actions of walking and rising from 
the ground seem very difficult, are of a peculiar structure, 
all the toes standing forward. It spends more of its 
time on the wing than any other swallow, and its flight 
more rapid* It breeds under the eaves of houses, in stee- 
ples, and other lofty buildings; and makes its nest of 
grass and feathers. 
The voice of the swift is a harsh scream; yet there 
are few ears to which it is not pleasing, from an agreea- 
ble association of ideas, since it is never heard but in the 
most lovely summer weather. 
These birds retire before the middle of September, 
generally by the tenth, and not a single straggler is to 
be seen by the twentieth. This early retreat is totally 
unaccountable, as that time is often the most delightful 
in the year. But what is yet more extraordinary, they 
begin to retire still earlier in the most southerly parts of 
Andalusia; where they can by no means be influenced 
by any defect of heat, or even of food. This is one of 
those incidents in natural history, which not only baffles 
our researches, but eludes our conjectures, an incident 
which none but him who supports them can resolve. 
Indian Bee-eater. (. Merops . PI. 35.) The In- 
dian bee-eater, is about the size of a common blackbird, 
! and has a bill near two inches long, the eyes a fine red ; 
a black stroke is extended to each side of the head, which 
begins at the corners of the mouth, and passes beyond 
the eyes. The base of the upper chap, and under the 
chin, is covered with bright pale blue feathers ; the up- 
per and back part of the head, of a dusky yellow; the 
back and wings of the same colour, only shaded pretty 
strongly with a green; the tips of the quill-feathers brown, 
| the breast and belly green; the thighs and under part 
near the vent, of a pale yellow, with a small green mix- 
ture. The tail consists of about twelve feathers; the 
outermost on each side, are of a green and yellow mix- 
ture, about three inches in length; the two middlemost 
