Download Volume 12 here

56 Gaelic Society of Inuerness.
Latin
—
—
ALPINE SWIFT.
Cypselus alpimt!^. Gaelic (jobhlan-monaidh, Ainlewj-mhonaidh,
(rob/ila)i-nan-cre((ff.
This is a very rare bird. The Rev. J. E. Atkinson, in his
" British Birds' Eggs and Nests," says— " A bird which is known
to have visited us (in Britain) on some half-dozen occasions or
so." However, I am inclined to believe that, in several parts of
the Highlands, the Alpine Swift is to be found, though mistaken
for the common swift. I know a very high precipice amongst the
rocks of Strathardle, about 1400 feet above sea level, in which, in
a crack or rent in the face of the clifi', the Alpine Swift has bred,
and never missed a single season, from my earliest remembrance
u]j till I left the district a few years ago, and I have no doubt
they breed there still. My uncle has told me that, when he was a
boy, over fifty years ago, they bred there then, and had been there
from time immemorial. I do not wish to give the exact locality,
for if I did, collectors would very likely have them shot this very
season, and exterminate them, like so many more of our rarer biixls
and even wild flowei-s, when their few habitats become known to
the public. The common swift generally lays two eggs, but sometimes
three or four. How many the Alpine Swdf t lays I do not
know ; however, it must either lay a large nnmber, or else there
must have been several pairs nesting together in the crack in the
rock to which I refer, for T have lain for hours watching them,
after the young ones had flown, in a flock of twelve or sixteen,
flying about high in the air, and then all darting down suddenly
into the crack in the rock, in which they held a chattering,
screeching conceii; for a minute or so, and then all poui'ing out in
a ton-ent quicker than the eye could almost follow them, screeching
very loudly, and, after a while circling about, repeating the
same performance again and again. I could not be mistaken about
this being the Alpine Swift, as its white belly at once distinguishes
it from the common swift. Old and young keep together in a flock
till they leave the country early in August. I have never seen
them anywhere else.
Latin
NIGHT-JAR OR GOAT-SUCKER.
Caprimulcius Europaus. Gaelic Sgraichu(/-oidhche, Seobhagoidhche.
(Grey.) \NQhh—Aderyn'ydroeU. Rhodivr.
Order III.— Rasores. Family I.— Columbidce..
RING-DOVE OR WOOL) PIGEON.
Latin C >lumbnpalumbus. Gaelic Ciflman-failhaich, Calman-coUle-
Fearan, Srmidan, Buradan, Guragug. Welsh Ys-guthan.
—
—