NEPHOCAETES NIGER. 
NORTHERN SWIFT. 
CYPSELUS NIGER Gosse. Birds of Jamaica (1817), p. 63.— Guild. & Law. Ann. N. Y. Lye. (1858), Yol. YI. p. 268. 
CYPSELUS BOREALIS. Kexnerlt. Proc. Acad. Nat. Scien. Pliila. (1857), Yol. IX. p. 202. 
NEPHOCAETES NIGER, Baird. B. of N. Arner., p. 144. 
Dr. Kennerly, who was attached to the Northwestern Boundary Survey as Surgeon and Naturalist, observed this Swift on Puget Sound, at 
Simiahmo Bay. He says that “ a number of these birds were seen for several evenings flying near our camp, in company with lara-e numbers of 
Oypselus Vanxii. They kept for the greater part near the edge of the forest, and generally flew so high as to be out of the reach of shot of auy 
usual size. One specimen was obtained, which is a male, in apparently adult plumage.” In a recent interesting publication by Mr. J. K. Lord, 
styled, “ The Naturalist in British Columbia,” the following account of this species occurs: “ Among the earliest of these visitors I noticed the 
Northern Swift (Nephocaetes Niger, Baird). It was a foggy day, early in June, aud, the insects being low, the birds were hovering close to the 
ground. I shot four. The next day I searched in vain, but never saw the birds again until the fall of the year, when they a second time 
made their appearance in large numbers — birds of the year as well as old ones. From their habit of flying at a great height it is extremely 
difficult to obtain specimens. I believe I again saw this Swift at Fort Colville. In June I observed a very large number of Swifts, in company 
with about an equal number of Goat-suckers (Ohordieles Popetue): they were hovering at a great altitude. After waiting a very long time, I 
succeeded in obtaining one Goat-sucker. The Swifts never came within shot, neither did I ever after see them. On opening the Goat-sucker, 
its stomach was perfectly gorged with winged ants. I have no doubt this was the attraction which delayed the Swifts on their northern route ; 
and from the fact of their disappearing here, as they did at Sumass, I imagine they go far north to nest; had they bred anywhere along the 
Boundary line, I am sure I must have discovered them.” 
General color of this Swift is a dark brown, sometimes glossed with green, but becoming lighter on the breast. Primaries rather lighter 
than the back, with their inner webs ashy brown. Bill and feet black. 
