BIRDS OF THE WEST 



35 



the top of the chimney, then dropped zigzagging into it as though 

 they were pieces of paper falling through the air. They don 't weigh 

 very much more. Company after company would tumble in until 

 you would think that the chimney could hold no more. 



Once upon a time they lived in hollow trees and if we cover 

 our chimneys and build them much smaller they will go back to 

 the hollow trees again. Then look out for bugs. 



How do you suppose they get the twigs with which to build 

 their nests? They just shoot through a tree and catch a twig vi^hile 

 in full motion and when they get into a chimney they support them- 

 selves on the side of the chimney by their tail feathers which have 

 spurs on them. If I were to build an airship I'd take a chimney 

 swift for a pattern. Did you ever see one? If not you will recog- 

 nize him when you do for he is well named and I think he is swift 

 enough to fly around the world in forty days and forty nights. 



