The STEEPLE SWIFT (_Cypselus apus_) is from six to seven inches long and
fifteen and a half broad; its wing measures six and a half, and tail
three inches. Its plumage is of a blackish brown, with the exception of
the throat, which is white; the eyes are brown, the beak and feet black.
The Steeple Swifts are met with throughout the southern countries of
Europe, in Central Asia, and over the entire continent of Africa. They
appear in Europe with the utmost regularity on the first or second
of May, and usually leave about the first of August. Such of them as
are seen after that period find their way to us from more northern
countries, having been left behind by their companions. The migrations
of these birds are undertaken in large flocks and are usually commenced
at midnight. Like all its congeners, the Steeple Swift is extremely
restless, active, and lively in disposition, but differs considerably in
its habits from all other members of its family. The air is its home,
and almost its entire life is passed upon the wing. From early morning
it may be seen, either sailing through the sky at a considerable height,
or skimming along in its tortuous course as it pursues its insect prey.
In general, however, it is only towards evening, or if the sky be wet
or cloudy, that it approaches the surface of the earth. Such of these
birds as inhabit the Canary Islands are an exception to this rule, for,
according to Bolle, they invariably seek the shelter of their holes for
a couple of hours during the forenoon. So extremely awkward are the
movements of this species when upon the ground, that it is commonly
supposed to be unable to rise if it should chance to alight on _terra
firma_. This idea is, however, incorrect, for with the aid of its wings
it is enabled to make a violent spring, and thus recommence its flight.
The feet of the Swift are almost useless for walking; they are, however,
invaluable assistants to the bird when climbing, and the sharp claws with
which they are armed are most formidable weapons of defence against its
adversaries. The sight and hearing of the Steeple Swifts is excellent,
but in every other respect they are far below their congeners, with whom
they live in a constant state of warfare; even towards their own species
they exhibit the same violent and revengeful disposition, falling upon
and clawing each other with such violence as often to tear the flesh
from their opponent's breast. We ourselves have seen the males become so
excited in these encounters, as to permit us to approach and seize them
with our hands, and Naumann mentions having observed one of these birds
dart like a Falcon upon a Sparrow quietly picking up worms in a field,
and attack it with such fierceness that the terrified little creature
sought refuge between the feet of a man who was standing near the spot.
Steeples, lofty edifices, and in some countries rocks, are the situations
preferred by this species when about to build. The nest is constructed
of hay, dry leaves, blades of grass, or even bits of rag, cemented into
a solid mass by the saliva from the builder's beak. The two or at most
three eggs that constitute a brood are white, elongate, and of the same
breadth at both ends. The female begins to lay at the end of May; she
alone performs the work of incubation, and is fed by her mate if the
weather be fine; should it, however, be wet, she is compelled to leave
her little family, and go herself in pursuit of insects, as the male can
only provide for his own requirements. The young grow very slowly and
remain for many weeks under parental care, indeed, they are rarely fully
fledged until the end of August. It is by no means uncommon for these
birds to avoid all the trouble attendant on nidification, by setting
upon and worrying a Starling or Sparrow until they have compelled it to
resign its little domicile; under these circumstances, if the eggs of the
late occupier have been already laid, the marauder simply covers them
with a layer of some elastic material, and on this the female deposits
her brood. These Swifts subsist almost entirely on insects, and usually
require a large supply of food; they can, however, occasionally fast for
a lengthened period.