The ALPINE SWIFT (_Cypselus Melba_) is considerably larger and more
powerful than the bird last described, its length being about eight, and
its breadth from nineteen to twenty inches; the wing measures eight and
the tail three inches. The plumage of this species is dusky greyish brown
above, and white upon the throat and belly; the rings around the eyes are
deep brown, and the feet and beak black. The young are recognisable by
the light edge upon their feathers.
All the mountains of Southern Europe, and a large part of Asia, afford a
home to the Alpine Swift; it is, however, rarely met with in the central
or northern parts of the European continent. According to Jerdon, it is
by no means uncommon in India, around the Ghauts, and Neilgherries, and
on the Malabar coast; it is also sometimes seen near Madras; and all
parts of Africa are visited by these birds during the course of their
migrations. Although the favourite resorts of this species are in the
mountains in Switzerland, it constantly frequents the steeples of the
churches, appearing in that country about the end of March, and only
leaving for warmer regions in October. We have been informed by the monks
upon Montserrat that the Alpine Swift has been seen from time to time
near their cloisters throughout the entire winter. In most particulars of
its life and habits this bird closely resembles the Steeple Swift, but
it is capable of mounting to even a still greater height in the air. Its
voice resembles that of the Kestrel. Like its congeners it is eminently
social, and generally flies about in considerable flocks; we have seen
thousands at a time swarming around the summit of Montserrat, and Jerdon
tells us that they congregate in similar multitudes on the heights of
some Indian mountains. Their nests are built in holes of rocks, steeples,
or similar situations; they are formed externally of twigs, upon which
are laid leaves, straw, rags, paper cuttings, or other materials of like
description, the whole being consolidated by means of the glutinous
spittle to which we have so frequently alluded. The three elongated white
eggs that form the brood are laid at the end of May; the nestlings are
hatched by the middle of June, and are fully fledged by the last week in
July.
* * * * *
The NIGHT JARS or GOATSUCKERS (_Caprimulgi_) constitute a family of very
remarkable birds, in some respects resembling the Swallows and Swifts,
but differing from them in many important particulars. Some species fully
equal the Raven in size, whilst others, on the contrary, are not larger
than a Lark; in all, the body is elongate, the neck short, the head
large, broad, and flat, the eye prominent. The beak is broad, short, and
tapers towards its tip, which is much compressed; the jaws are unusually
large, and the gape wide; the legs are weak, the tarsi short and covered
with horny plates, the upper part being occasionally feathered, or quite
bare. The toes vary considerably in different species, but are usually
weak and short, the centre one only being well developed; this middle toe
is sometimes furnished with a large serrated claw. The wings are long and
pointed, but not to such a degree as those of the Swallow, the second
and third quills, instead of the first, generally exceeding the rest in
length. The tail is formed of ten feathers, and differs considerably as
to its shape; the plumage, like that of the Owl, is soft, and composed
of large feathers; it is usually dark in colour, but much variegated
and very delicately marked. The base of the beak is covered with a
very remarkable growth of stiff bristles, and the eyes are surrounded
with short but thick lashes. In some species the males have long and
peculiarly formed feathers in the region of the tail and on the wings.
[Illustration: _Plate 13, Cassell's Book of Birds_