THE SWIFT 
not reaching its London haunts before the beginning of 
May, or in early seasons the last few days of April. Its 
stay is brief, and it leaves again during the first ten 
days or so of August. I saw a single Swift, however, at 
Twickenham on August 23, 1g05—a remarkably late 
record; whilst on the same date two years later many 
were passing down the Brent Valley near Stonebridge 
(close to Wembley Park) in company with Martins. I 
may add that this valley is a marked migration route for 
Swallows and Martins, flocks often passing in late autumn 
in countless numbers for days in succession. ‘The Swift is 
one of the most aerial of birds ; it is rarely seen to alight 
anywhere, beyond dashing into its nesting-place and out 
again. It is easily recognised by its dark plumage, long, 
scythe-shaped wings, and short, forked tail. It has no song, 
but its shrill, screaming note, often uttered with much 
persistency in early June and shortly before departure 
in August, is very characteristic. The bird becomes 
particularly active and noisy towards evening, careering 
about the air often at a great height, or in dull, cloudy 
weather nearer to the earth. It feeds exclusively on 
insects. ‘Throughout its stay it is more or less gregarious, 
breeding in colonies of varying size, and in autumn 
especially assembles into flocks to migrate. The Swift 
pairs for life, and returns to breed in one particular spot. 
Its eggs are laid towards the end of May or early in June. 
Its favourite nesting-place is a hole in a building, beneath 
the eaves, or in a church tower. ‘The simple nest con- 
sists merely of a few straws or bits of dry grass, lined 
with feathers, and often bound together with the bird’s 
viscid saliva, accidentally accumulated as the old birds 
arrange the scanty materials. The eggs are two, as a 
rule, but in rare cases three or four are found. ‘They are 
much elongated, white and spotless. ‘The young are fed 
occasionally for some time after they leave the nest, and 
only one brood is reared during the summer. 
£29 
