CHIMNEY SWIFT OR SWALLOW. 



611 



tained an entire mass of decayed Swallow feathers, mixed 

 with brownish dust and the exuviae of insects. In in- 

 land towns they have been known to make their general 

 roost in the chimney of the court-house. Before decend- 

 ing, they fly in large flocks, making many ample and cir- 

 cuitous sweeps in the air ; and as the point of the vortex 

 falls, individuals drop into the chimney by degrees, until 

 the whole have descended, which generally takes place 

 in the dusk of the evening. They all, however, disap- 

 pear about the first week in August. Like the rest of 

 the tribe, the Chimney Swift flies very quick, and with 

 but slight vibrations of its wings ; appearing as it were to 

 swim in the air in widening circles, shooting backwards 

 and forwards through the ambient space at great eleva- 

 tions, and yet scarcely moving its wings. Now and then 

 it is heard to utter, in a hurried manner, a sound like 

 tsip tsip tsip tsee tsec. It is never seen to alight but in 

 hollow trees or chimneys, and appears always most gay 

 and active in wet and gloomy weather. The wonderful 

 account of the Swallow roosts in Honduras, given by 

 Captain Henderson, appears to be entirely applicable to 

 this species. 



The Chimney Swift is 4.^ inches in length, and 12 in alar extent. 

 Feet very muscular, the claws exceedingly sharp. The closed wings 

 extend 1^ inches beyond the tail, which is rounded, with the shafts 

 extending beyond their vanes into sharp, strong, and very elastic 

 points, which thus afford assistance in clinging to their singular roosts. 

 The eye black, surrounded by a bare blackish skin or orbit. 



§ II. — Nocturnal Family. 



With the head, eyes, and ears very large. The middle nail gene- 

 rally pectinated on the inner side. The plumage loose, soft, and 

 light, as in Owls. 



