.^^"^ . 



38 



CHIMNEY SWIFT. 

 423. Chwtura pelagica. 5% inches. 



Unused chimneys of old dwellings make favorite 

 roosting and nesting places for these smoke-colored 

 birds. They originally dwelt in hollow trees until the 

 advent of man furnished more convenient places, al- 

 though we would scarcely consider the soot-lined brick 

 surface as good as a clean hollow tree. Spines on the 

 end of each tail feather enable them to hang to their 

 upright Avails, and to slowly hitch their way to thfe 

 outer world. Throughout the day numbers of them 

 are scouring the air for their fare of insects, but as 

 night approaches, they return to the chimney. 



Note. — A continuous and not unmusical twittering 

 uttered while on the wing and also within the depths 

 of the chimney. 



Nest. — Made of small sticks or twigs glued to the 

 sides of a chimney and each other by the bird's saliva. 

 The three to five white esss are long: and narrow 

 (.75X.50). "^ 



Range. — N. A. east of the Plains, breeding from 

 Florida to Labrador; winters south of U. S. 



