J70 THE BIRDS OF SHERWOOD FOREST. 



our own district it is abundant ; but nowhere, I believe, 

 does it equal in numbers either of the other hirundines. 

 They are of social habit, delighting to hunt in company, 

 generally in parties of from two to eight or ten pairs ; 

 and few sights are more beautiful than to watch a flock 

 as they dart past like an arrow, or wheel with impetuous 

 flight round the church tower, squealing all the time as 

 if in the very exuberance of unfettered liberty and joy ; 

 and unfettered it truly is, for in the power, rapidity, and 

 elegance of its ordinary flight, and its untiring activity, 

 it has few rivals and still fewer equals. 



The swift's period of residence with us is a very brief 

 one, rarely exceeding two months and a half. No 

 avant-courier precedes their arrival, which is sudden 

 and simultaneous ; one day none are to be seen, and the 

 next they are in full force, making the air ring with 

 their shrill cry. Their departure is also equally sudden , 

 though not always so simultaneous, as now and then you 

 may meet with a pair detained, perhaps for a week or 

 two after their friends have departed, by domestic cares. 

 The first week in May is the usual time of their appear- 

 ance ; but in 1854 I remarked an exception to the 

 general rule, a single bird making its appearance. on the 

 4th of April. This is the earliest date, and the 15th of 

 May the latest, on which I have noted their arrival. 



Some writers say the swift sometimes lays three or 

 four eggs, but I never met with more than two. The 

 old ducal mansions in our neighbourhood are always 

 tenanted by several pairs, and the roofs of old houses are 

 also frequented, the birds gaining entrance under the 

 pantiles. These last are the most favourite resorts of 

 the house sparrow, whose nest, I believe, is very fre- 

 quently made use of by the swift without the owner's 



