131. HABITS OF THE SWIFT. 



wing, employed cither in sport with its companions, or in piirsuit of the insects on which 

 it feeds, and of wliich it carries such numbers to its young. Several authors have said 

 that the Swift prefers the morning and evening for its aerial evolutions, remaining quietly 

 in the dusky recesses where it has built its nest during the fierce heat of the summer's 

 noon. The bird is also reported to retire to the same retreat while rain falls and 

 wind blows, aud to rest at home until the weather changes for the better. As far as my 

 own personal observations go, both these assertions are too sweeping, if not entirely 

 erroneous. The Swift has a special love for the bright heat of a July noon, but it must 

 be sought, not near its usual haunts, but far up in the sky, where it may be seen like 

 a little black mote against the lilue heavens, and hardly visible except to experienced 

 obsei-vers. 



As to the alleged habit of keeping under cover during a stoiin, it has been decidedly 

 contradicted by Mr. Thompson, who has observed the Swifts engaged in the pursuit 

 of their prey during stormy as well as in fine weather. I am able to contradict this 

 assertion from the events of the day on which I write — July 23d, 1860. The whole of 

 the day has been most stormy, the rain falling heavily and without cessation, and the 

 wind howling furiously in intermittent gusts. "Wliile standing at the window at Margate, 

 and watchmg the black clouds come sweeping over the sky, I saw numbers of Swifts 

 dashing through the air at a very low elevation, seldom rising above the roofs of the 

 adjoining houses, and especially affecting some small gardens and the fruit trees therein 

 planted. The same fact was observable on the two preceding days, but as an occasional 

 respite from the rain was enjoyed on those days, the presence of Swifts was not so 

 remarkable. 



This indefatigable bird is an early riser, and very late in returning to rest, later indeed 

 than any of the diurnal birds. Though engaged in fiight during the live-long day, the 

 Swift appears to be proof against fatigue, and will, during the long summer days, remain 

 upon the wing until after nine in the evening. As the days become shorter, the Swift is 

 found to retire earlier, but during its stay in this country, it is almost invariably later than 

 other birds, sometimes being on the wing together with the owl. Indeed, the aii- seems 

 to the Swift even a more familiar element than the earth, and the bird is able to pass the 

 whole of its life, and to perform all the bodily functions except those of .sleep and repose, 

 while upborne on the untiring pinions with which it is furnished. The Swift that has a 

 nest to take care of is forced to descend at intervals for the purpose of supplying its 

 family with food, but except when urged by such considerations, it is able to remain in 

 the air for many successive hours without needing to rest. 



The Swifts may generally be found near buildings, rocks, and cliffs, for in such 

 localities they build their nests, and from their homes they seldom wander to any 

 great distance, as long as they remain in the country. These birds appear to be singularly 

 susceptiljle to home influence, and will retm-n year after year to the same nest, attracted 

 by some subtle but most powerful influence, which guides them across sea and land to the 

 spot in which they had first settled themselves, and cherished their young families. One 

 of these birds was marked in order to ascertain its powers of returning to the same spot, 

 and was observed to make its appearance regularly for seven successive years. 



In general, the Swift loves to build its nest in a hole under a roof, whether slated, 

 tiled or tliatclied, preferring, however, the warm, thick straw-thatch to the tile or slate. 

 Sometimes it makes a hole in tlie thatch, through which it gains access to the nest, but in 

 most instances it makes use of some already existing crevice for that purj^ose. In all cases, 

 the nest is placed above the entrance, and generally may be found about eighteen inches or 

 two feet from the orifice. Even by the touch, the eggs of the Swift may be discerned 

 from those of any other bird, as their length is singularly disproportionate to their width. 



The activity with Avhieh the Swifts enter their holes is really remarkable, and is well 

 worthy of observation. The bird stoops suddenly from its aerial flight, and with a loud 

 scream shoots under the eaves of the house in which it has fixed its residence. Turning 

 quickly aside, it glides towards the orifice of the tunnel, and settling for a moment with 

 closed wings, runs nimbly into the hole, like a rat or mouse. 



When tlie Swifts have become accustomed to human beings, they become wonderfully 



