76 BIRDS OF THE PUBLIC GARDEN 



was in the sky over the houses, elevated not 

 very high above them, and calling at regu- 

 lar intervals. This was a very warm day 

 of 84° temperature in the shade at the time, 

 and the sun shone hot in a clear sky. The 

 calls were given also in the quiet of the 

 evening. Two birds were heard in the even- 

 ing of May 30. 



Nighthawks are known to have regu- 

 larly nested on the flat graveled roofs of 

 buildings in the Back Bay district in re- 

 cent years. 



23. Chimney Swift 



ChcBtura pelagica 



By the middle of May from one or two 

 to ten or twelve Chimney Swifts may be 

 seen scurrying overhead in their rapid 

 flights, appeal mg and disappearing and re- 

 appearing, uttering their hurried twitter- 

 ing notes in greeting of the day. 



The earliest record is of a bird on May i, 

 1907 ; in 1902 one was seen on May 6. 

 But usually the appearance of the species 

 dates from May 13 or 14, when com- 



