A BIRD MYSTIC 55 



into the holes. This is necessary, because 

 a swift clings with difficulty; for some 

 reason all its four toes are in front of the foot. 

 Through the dark holes they creep, to reach 

 the nests of saliva, cobwebs, and strawspeck 

 laid like a mouldered saucer on the lath 

 and plaster. 



One midsummer eve a great commotion 

 brought me to my doorway. I looked out 

 and saw about half a hundred swifts pur- 

 suing a great barn owl, white and slow- 

 fanning, holding in one dropped foot a 

 limp rat. The owls are nesting on the lath 

 and plaster of my cottage, but they do not 

 interfere with the swifts. 



When the wheat is nearly ready for the 

 reaping, the swifts begin to think of the 

 journey to Africa. They are among the 

 last birds to arrive here in the spring, but 

 the first to depart (excepting the cuckoo). 

 When the Voice speaks in the night they 

 mount many miles, flying up to the stars, 



and rush to the south. It is a sad time for 

 L.S. E 



