3 6 
PICARIAN BIRDS. 
influence the time of their arrival and departure to a considerable degree. In the 
town of Berne these swifts frequent the tower of the cathedral. A few arrive 
at the beginning of April, and after a short inspection of their old home 
disappear. In a few days, however, some few return, and their number is 
increased day by day until more than two hundred ipdividuals make the cathedral- 
tower their home. When they first come, the swifts are in good condition, and it 
COMMON AND ALPINE SWIFTS liat. size). 
is well that they are so, as insects are few at that time of year, especially if April 
happen to be a bad month. At this time they may be seen sitting in rows, hungry 
and waiting for a more propitious season ; and if they should attempt a flight, they 
circle round the cathedral, without the harsh cries generally uttered during their 
gambols. Every spring individuals are picked up which have succumbed to the 
cold, but on the approach of fine weather the cathedral-tower becomes the centre 
of great animation. These swifts are very regular in their habits, at the dawn of 
day leaving their roosting-places to seek their food in mid-air, and continuing 
their flight until about noon, after which they are not seen. They rest until about 
