144 (JAKJJEN A.\l> \VI\I!^' l'.Ii;|)S. 



iiuhfurcdtfis). It is social)!*- in habits, and builds in num- 

 bers in houses, niakinu n<'sts of any soit of li«^ht rubbish 

 it can pick up on the wiiii:, such as feathers, straw, etc. 

 The inatciials aie stuck together witli saliva, and the nest 

 varies in sha))(\ and nia\' be cither in a hole or stuck to 

 the roof. 



Three euus are usually laid, and two broods brought 

 off in a vear. tlu' breedin.u season lastin;^; from February 

 to Auf^ust, and the birds resortinu constantly to the same 

 nest, which they also use for sleeping and resting, never 

 perching outside. It has been said that these birds can- 

 not rise from the groimd. Init this is a mistake ; at least, 

 in several experiments. I found oidy one uninjured bird 

 that could not ; birds that are obviously hurt are fre- 

 (luently fomul, for this Swift is constantly getting into 

 difTiculties by entering places whence it cannot readily 

 escape ; it seems to be a very stupid bird. 



It has a clear shrill squeal, most frequently uttrre.d 

 before roosting time, when flocks of them career round 

 and round before going to bed. It is iu)t a migratory 

 species, and in places where it is common, as at Calcutta, 

 is one of the most conspicuous birds at all times. I doubt 

 if it is advisable to encourage these birds where swallows 

 can be got to build, as they are not nearly s.) attractive as 

 the latter, and are apt to drive tliem away in order to take 

 their nests. P)Ut in default of 1 hr ical Swallows. Swifts 

 are better than nolhiiiL;. 



The Palm-Swift {TdcJtomi.s batdssimsis) is oidy a 

 little less in length than the House-Swift, but is really a 

 much smaller bird, being more slender, with a lairlv long 



