THE CHIMNEY SWIFT 
THE Swift is universally known as the Chimney Swallow, from 
a belief that it belongs to the swallow family. It is, in fact, no 
relative of the swallows, but very nearly related to the Whippoorwill 
and Nighthawk. Swifts and swallows both have long, powerful 
wings, which enable them to remain for long periods on the wing 
in a restless search for insects. Scientists themselves were for a 
. long time misled by the resemblance in the appearance and habits 
of the two families, but a close examination of the skeleton of the 
two birds has convinced naturalists that the two families descended 
from different ancestors, but have arrived at similar solutions of the 
problem presented to them in their search for food. 
The Swift builds, as is well known, in the flues of chimneys. 
It is often seen in May, dashing past the dead twigs of some tree, 
and then off to the chimney, where the twigs are glued together 
and to the bricks by the help of saliva secreted by the bird. A 
common and distressing experience after a storm in summer is the 
discovery of the young Chimney Swifts at the wrong end of the 
chimney, — on the hearth, in other words. Even in their proper 
place in the chimney, the young birds can make their presence very 
well known by beginning, as soon as it is light, an incessant clamor 
for food. 
The long narrow wings, the powerful chest muscles, the cut 
of the bird’s body, and the way the keel is ballasted, so to speak, 
enable the bird to remain for hours in constant flight without appar- 
ently experiencing the least fatigue. Swallows are often seen resting 
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