Birds of Indiana. 853 



giimiuy secretion from the mouth. The twigs are broken as the birds 

 fly, being grasped by the feet and wrenched off. In my yard, I have 

 noticed they usually take dead apple twigs. Mr. Widmann says it 

 takes two months to rear a family of Swifts. 



When the young are able to leave the nests, they remain in the 

 chimney, clinging to the sides for some time. For several weeks a 

 chimney, connecting with a bed-chamber, containing a few nests of 

 these birds, is a source of the most uncanny sounds and annoying- 

 hissings, which render rest by day impossible, and occasionally unac- 

 countable noises at night awaken the soundest sleeper. Often the 

 entire younger portion of the family will tumble down the flue; if 

 there is an open fireplace they enter the room, where they produce 

 much dirt and disorder, if left a few hours. One of my earliest recol- 

 lections, going back to the time of pinafores, is of 15 or 16 of these 

 young birds, almost able to fly, hanging to my apron front, their 

 cries and mine joining in vociferous rivalry. 



The earliest record for Brookville is April 5, in each of the two years 

 1888 and 1897. The latest first arrival there is April 22, 1895. The 

 earliest record for the State is April 4, 1889, New Harmony, where 

 it became common April 13. It spread all over the State early that 

 year, reaching Petersburg, Mich., April 20, becoming common May 1. 

 In 1888 it arrived unusually early. It was first observed all over the 

 southern part of the State, as far north as Terre Hautje and Brookville 

 by April 7, and became common at once, but its course was stayed, 

 and it did not reach Petersburg, Mich., until May 2, and became com- 

 mon May 10. The following dates for 1897 show it was very early 

 in southeastern Indiana, while the Wabash Valley, excepting Lafay- 

 ette, was behind: Brookville, April 5; Eichmond, April 12, April 15; 

 Anderson, April 16, April 30; Muncie, April 17; Bicknell, April 17, 

 April 21; Spearsville, April 19; Lafayette, North Manchester, April 22, 

 May 5. The first bird was seen at Chicago, 111., and Sandusky, 0., 

 the same day, April 24. Common at Chicago, May 1; at Sandusky, 

 April 25. It did not reach Petersburg, Mich., till May 4, and was com- 

 mon May 10. At Chicago it has been noted as first arrival April 24 

 to May 5; at Petersburg, Mich., from April 20 (1889) to May 4 (1897): 



In fall, usually they disappear in September. Most of them leave 

 the northern part of the State early in that month. Some, however, 

 sometimes remain well into October. Their last fall dates at Lafayette 

 are: 1894, October 12; 1895, September 30; 1896, September 29. At 

 Sandusky, 0., it has been reported to Prof. Moseley, October 15, 1896. 

 In 1886 it remained in Brookville until October 7, and in 1897 they 



