
THE COMMON SWIFT. 
(Cypselus apus.) 
THE whole of the plumage, except the throat, is 
sooty black; the throat is white. Length, eight inches; 
width, seventeen inches. The female resembles the 
male. Eggs pure white. 
This bird is very properly named, for it is not only 
the fastest traveller of the Swallow tribe, but it excels 
all other birds in its rapid flight. It will perform the 
voyage from Africa to England without showing any 
fatigue. The Swift arrives later and departs sooner 
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