The Swift. 243 
THE SWIFT, (Cypselus apus,) 
Which is sometimes called the Black Martin, arrives in 
England later, and takes its departure earlier than any 
of our swallows. The Swift is the largest of the swallow 
tribe, and the most rapid in its flight. Its nest, which is 
generally built in the crevices of old towers and steeples, 
is constructed of dried grass, feathers, thread, and similar 
materials, glued together by a sort of spittle, with which 
the bird is provided. The bird collects them whilst on 
the wing, picking them up with great dexterity. They 
seldom alight upon the ground, and if by accident they 
fall upon a level surface, they recover themselves with 
difficult}', owing to the shortness of their legs, and the 
length of their wings. During the heat of the day they 
remain within their holes, and at morning and evening 
salty out in quest of food. They may then be seen in 
flocks, whirling round some lofty edifice, or describing 
in mid-air an endless series of circles upon circles. Swifts 
fly higher, and wheel with bolder wing than the swal- 
lows, with whom they never intermingle. 
