BIRDS OF KANSAS 91 



measurements as given, the bird should average a little 

 larger. 



These wild, restless birds are gregarious and social in 

 their habits. I have often found them in the Indian Ter- 

 ritory and early settlements of Kansas, occupying large 

 hollow trees the sycamore the favorite and they occa- 

 sionally continue to do so in settled localities, but as a 

 rule prefer the habitations of man, and they are most 

 abundant about our city homes, secreting themselves dur- 

 ing the 'day and night, chiefly within unused chimneys, 

 occasionally in other suitable dark retreats, coming forth 

 at eve like the bats, but a little earlier, retiring at dark. 

 They are occasionally to "be seen flying about during the 

 middle of bright, sunshiny days, but as a rule are rather 

 crepuscular in their habits. 



Their food consists entirely of winged insects, in search 

 of which they never seem to flag or weary, crossing and 

 recrossing each other's course in their circling, chattering 

 flights, gliding along with rapid strokes of the wings or 

 sailing with motionless wings, as best suits their purpose. 

 On account of their extremely long wings, they cannot 

 readily rise from a level surface, and therefore select, for a 

 resting place, the perpendicular sides or edges of an eleva- 

 tion, where they can at once launch into the air. Tlicir 

 peculiarly-formed feet and spine-tipped tails enable them 

 to grasp and rest at ease in such positions. 



Their nests are placed in hollow trees, chimneys, etc. ; 

 a peculiar saucer-shaped semicircular structure, composed 

 of small sticks of uniform length and size, which are 

 strongly glued together and fastened to the wall with an 

 adhesive saliva from the birds. Eggs usually four, 



