178 



THE NATURAL HISTORY 



[LETT. 



bred out of buildings ; and that was in the sides of a deep chalk- 

 pit near the town of Odiham, in this county, where I have seen 

 many pairs entering the crevices, and skimming and squeaking 

 round the precipices. 



As T have regarded these amusive birds with no small atten- 

 tion, if I should advance something new and peculiar with 



THE SWIPT. 



respect to them, and different from all other birds, I might 

 perhaps be credited ; especially as my assertion is the result of 

 many years' exact observation. The fact that I would advance 

 is, that swifts propagate on the wing : and I would wish any 

 nice observer, that is startled at this supposition, to use his own 

 eyes, and I think he will soon be convinced. In another class 



