1. True =Swallows= (_Hirundo_), with forked tails; three toes directed to the front, one to the back. Here may be reckoned—=Swallow= (_H. rustica_), always broods in sheltered spots, _e.g._ inside a stable, summer-house, or verandah; =House Martin= (_H. urbica_), nests against buildings, under the eaves for example; the =Sand Martin= (_H. riparia_), breeds in the neighbourhood of streams, especially in vertical banks of loamy or coherent sandy soil, where it makes its nest at the end of a passage a yard long. The =House Martin= is shining black on the back, white on the entire under surface and rump. The =Bank Martin= is brownish grey on the back, white on the under side, with brownish-grey bands on the breast. 2. =Swifts= (_Cypselus_), with forked tails and four strong, curved, forwardly directed claws. Only one British species belongs here—the =Swift= (_Cypselus apus_), ten inches long, brownish black except for white throat, and with very long curved wings. 3. =Night-jars= (_Caprimulgus_), with tail not forked, soft plumage, large head and eyes; fly at night. One species belongs here—the =Goatsucker= (_Caprimulgus europæus_, Fig. 35), twelve inches long, grey on the upper side, spotted with blackish brown and rusty yellow, yellowish whitey grey with dark wavy lines on the under side. In the day it flies awkwardly and heavily, and usually keeps under cover; by night it flies rapidly and boldly, especially in bare spots in woods, or in gardens and on fields. It haunts especially the neighbourhood of sheepfolds and cattle in the meadows, since it always finds flies and gnats there. It also catches cockchafers and various moths. [Illustration: FIG. 35.—The Goatsucker (_Caprimulgus europæus_). ] Group: =Magnirostres= (_Large-beaked Perching Birds_). Beak strong, thick, often incurved near its apex. These birds eat almost all kinds of food, both animal and vegetable. Here belong Starlings and Raven-like Birds (crows, magpies, jays). The =Starling= (_Sturnus vulgaris_). Plumage black, with a violet sheen. The tips of the contour feathers, however, are white or bright yellowish. These white patches become so well marked after the autumn moult, that they almost completely cover the shining metallic black of the feathers. They gradually become smaller; in the next spring they are almost or entirely lost. Very serviceable. Devours, especially in autumn, many field snails, also cockchafer grubs, wireworms, grass caterpillars, grasshoppers, leaf-lice; also many insects destructive to fruit trees and forest trees. The starling, however, is able to do considerable damage to garden fruit trees, since it eats cherries, currants, and sometimes even pears. Starlings often settle on the backs of sheep and cows in order to pick off the vermin. Genus: =Corvus= (_Crow-like Birds_).