NEPHOCAETES NIG-EE.
ÏÏORTHEIÎJ SWIÏT.
CYPSELUS NIGER. Gosse. Birds o f Jamaica (1847), p. 63.— Gund. & Law. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. (1858), Vol. VI. p. 268.
CYPSELUS BOREALIS. Kb n n erly . Proc.' Acad. Nat. Seien. Pliila. (1857), Vol. IX. p. 202.
NEPHOCAETES NIGER. Baird. B. o f N. Amer., p. 144.
Dr. Kennerly who was attached to the Northwestern Boundary Survey as Surgeon and Naturalist, observed this Swift on Puget Sound, at
Simiahmo Bay. He says that “ a number of these birds were seen for several evenings flying near our camp, in company with large numbers of
Cypselus Vauxii. They kept for the greater part near the edge o f the forest, and generally flew so high as to be out of the reach of shot o f any
usual size One specimen was obtained, which is a male, in apparently adult plumage.” In a recent interesting publication by Mr. J. K. Lord,
styled “ The Naturalist in British Columbia,” the following account of this species occurs: “ Among the earliest of these visitors I.noticed the
Northern Swift (Nephocaetes Niger, Baird). It was a foggy day, early in June, and, the insects being low, the birds were hovering close to the
ground I’ shot four. The next day I searched in vain, but never saw the birds again until the fall of the year, when they a second time
t made their appearance in large numbers—birds o f the year as well as old ones. Prom their habit of flying at a great height it is extremely
difficult to obtain specimens. I believe I again saw this Swift at Fort Colville. In June I observed a very large number o f Swifts, in company
with about an equal number of Goat-suckers (Chordieles Popetuc); they were hovering at a great altitude. After waiting a very long time, I
succeeded in obtaining one Goat-sucker. The Swifts never came within shot, neither did I ever after see them. On opening the Goat-sucker,
its stomach was perfectly gorged with winged auts. I have no doubt this was the attraction which delayed the Swifts on their northern route;
and from the fact o f their disappearing here, as they did at Sumass, I imagine they go far north to nest; had they bred anywhere along the
Boundary line, I am sure I most have discovered them.”
General color of this Swift is a dark brown, sometimes glossed with green, but becoming lighter on the breast. Primaries rather lighter
than the back, with their inner webs ashy brown. Bill and feet black.