THE SWIFT. 109 



events of a July day. The whole of the day had been most stormy, the rain falling heavily 

 and without cessation, and the wind howling furiously in intermittent gusts. While 

 standing at the window, and watching 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 flight 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 the north, it is almost invariably later than other birds, some- 

 times being on the wing together with the owl. Indeed, the air 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 per- 

 form 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 need- 

 ing 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 susceptible to home 

 influence, and will return 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 

 thatched, preferring, however, the warm, thick straw-thatch to the tile or slate. Sometimes it 

 makes a hole in the thatch, through which it gains access to the nest, but in most instances 

 it makes use of some already existing crevice for that purpose. 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 which 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 the Swifts have become accustomed to human beings, they become wonderfully 

 indifferent to their presence, and will permit their movements to be watched without displaying 

 any signs of fear. I well remember a certain street which was copiously favored by the Swifts, 

 who congregated in such great numbers, that they became a positive nuisance on account of 

 the continual screaming which they kept up. The houses were mostly of a very ancient 

 fashion, and their eaves were so low, that a man could introduce his hand into the Swifts' 

 tunnels merely by standing on a chair. Yet the birds cared nothing for their apparent danger, 

 even though their nests were several times robbed of their contents. At one time, the small 

 boys, who abounded in the neighborhood, took a fancy to manufacture bows and arrows, with 

 which they kept up a persevering fire upon the Swifts as they went to and fro upon their avo- 

 cations, or visited and returned from their nests. The birds, however, looked upon these 

 weapons with supreme contempt, and never troubled themselves in the least about them. 



The sound which these birds utter is of the most piercing description, and can be heard at 

 a very great distance, thus betraying them when they are hawking after the high-flying insects 



