CHIMNEY SWIFT. r,07 



picslHnr/s. Quito similai- to the above. The rump anil upper tail covens are quite pale and the line of dcmarkation l)e- 

 twcen the former and the back, is quite distinct, and all the foathei-s of these parts show lighter edgings as do those of the 

 t<jp of the head. Bill, darlc-bro\\-n, feet, light-brown, and sexes, similar, in all stages. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



It is remarkable that the nestlings pass directly into the nest plumage •without monlting. They are, I think, born 

 naked but quickly acquire the feathers witliout any intcnuediate downy stage. There is so little variaton in plumage, 

 even in spe<-imens df different ages, that it requires the closest study to determine which are birds of the year after they have 

 become fully grown. The plumage of this species is always smooth and shows but little wear, even just before moulting 

 %v!iic!i goes i,n very gradually, especially on the wings, but two feathers, one on either side, being shed at the same time. 

 The new jilumage is considerably darker than the old. There is a single white feather ia the top of the head i.fa specimrq 

 liefore lae showing a slight inclination to albinism which condition of plumage is certainly very rare among these birds, 

 the only instance that has come under my notice being a pure white specimen in the collection of Mr. Jesse Warren. It is 

 noticeable that the keel is pierced with holes near the sternum, these being larger in the young birds. Distributed during 

 summer throughout Eastern North America, .south to the Caroiinas. Winters south of the United States. 



DLMENSIONS. 



Average measurements of ten specimens from New England. Length, .5'32; stretch, 12'34; wing, 5'05; tail, TfiS; bill, 

 •22; tarsus, -46. Longest specimen, 5*50; greatest extentof wing, 12'ti2; longest wing, 5'21; tail, 1'78; bill, '25; tarsus, -55. 

 Shortest specimen, 5' 15; smallest extent of wing, 12'10; shortest wing, 4-90; tail, i'6l; liill, -20; tai-sus, -41. 



DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 



Nests, placed in the unused flues of chimneys, composed of sticks, cemented together with the viscid saliva which is 

 exuded from the sublingual glands. The}' are semicircular in form. Dimensions, longest diameter, 4'00, shortest, S'OO. 

 External depth, 1"75, internal, 'T^. 



Eyys, four in number, long oval in form, lightHjreamy in color, not highly pollsheil, anil unspotted. Dimensions from 

 •7GX-45 to -85 X -50. 



HABITS. 



The first week in May or but a few days later, the Chimney Swifts suddenly make 

 their appearance in New England. I say suddenly, for, unlike the Swallows who send 

 out a few skiraiishers in advance in order to ascertain if the great enemy of their race, 

 Winter, has entirely withdrawn his forces, the Swifts come in a body. The day before, 

 not a bird of this species is in sight but on the ensuing morning the air is filled with them. 

 Their long northward flight from tropical climes is evidently performed without a pause 

 for I have seen them crossing over Florida about the first of May in large nuiubers and i." 

 u few days they are in their summer homes. There are probably few, if any, birds which 

 possess such untiring powers of flight as the Swifts and after their arrival from their south- 

 ern journey, they appear very lively, darting about through the air as rapidly, and display- 

 ing as much freshness and vigor, as upon following days, just its though a continuous aerial 

 voyage of a few thousand miles over land and sea did not weary them any more than an 

 hour's sail over the meadows. 



This Swift is popularly known as the Chimney Swallow and it is true that in being 

 constantly on the wing it does resemble the family of birds from which it derives this name, 

 but here the similarity ceases, for neither in form, habit, nor color does it bear any sem- 

 blani;e to them. Even the flight is quite ditferent, the wings being used with a quick 

 fluttering motion and all the other movements of the birds are performed with an abrupt- 

 ness quite at variance with the elegant evolutions of the Swallows. I do not mean to im- 

 ply that the Chimney Swifts are not graceful in some of their changing modes of flight; 



BIRDS OF FLOKID.'i. 27 



