93 



In the West Indies the long flower-spathes of the cocoanut palm often 

 hang on the trees in a withered state for many months ; and up inside 

 of these the Palm Swift finds a safe and convenient place to affix its 

 nest, composed of feathers glued together with the same salivary gum. 

 This plan of fastening the nest to the inside of a hollow tube or shaft 

 seems to be a favourite one with several of the American species. Not 

 only is the idea shown in the choice of the chimney swift, but there are 

 two species which actually construct the protecting tube for themselves. 

 Paniptila Sancti Hyeronima: inhabiting Guatemala, attaches to the 

 underside of an over-hanging rock a tube some feet in length, composed 

 of the seed-down of plants caught flying in the air and glued together 

 with saliva. Entrance to this is from below and the eggs are laid on a 

 •^ind of shelf near the top. Very similar is the nest of a Brazilian 

 species, Chaeiura poliiira, only in this case the tube is suspended 

 from the branch of a tree and is covered with bright coloured feathers. 

 There is no shelf within to receive the eggs, and it is believed that 

 these are cemented against the side of the tube and brooded on by the 

 bird while in an upright position. 



Having thus referred to the characteristics of the family in general, 

 and to some of its more interesting members in other lands, we will 

 perhaps be better prepared to consider the peculiarities of our own 

 bird, the American chimney swift (Chcetura pelagica). This bird is 

 about 5 inches in length and 12 to 13 in extent of wings. The general 

 colour IS a dull dark gray, considerably lighter on the throat and breast 

 and having a faint gloss of metallic green on the back. On taking 

 either of the specimens on the table in the hand one is at once struck 

 with the singular appearance of the tail, each of the ten quills ending 

 ^n a strong sharp spine formed by the shaft being produced about a 

 quarter of an inch beyond the vane. Such a form of tail is almost 

 valueless as a steering apparatus during flight, but serves admirably the 

 purpose for which it is used — that of a prop to support the weight of 

 the body while at rest ; for the only position of rest ever assumed by 

 this bird is a vertical one, as it clings to the inside of a chimney or 

 hollow tree braced up by this strong spiked tail. A woodpecker at 

 work on the outside of the tree would assume much the same position, 

 but in his case the spineous nature of the tail is less marked, while the 



