CHIMNEY SWIFT. 
423. Chatura 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 walls, and to slowly hitch their way to the 
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 eggs are long and narrow 
(.75 x .50). 
Range.—N. A. east of the Plains, breeding from 
Florida to Labrador; winters south of U, S. 
