200 BIRDS OF NORTH CAROLINA 



The Chimney Swifts arrive from the South about the first week in April, but 

 these first comers apparently pass on, the breeding birds not coming in until two 

 weeks later. 



In all parts of the State it is quite abundant in summer, nesting ordinarily in 

 chimneys, though in some of the wilder districts it no doubt still uses hollow trees 

 for that purpose. Pearson has on two occasions seen Chimney Swifts enter hollow 

 cypress trees on the shores of Great Lake in Craven County. Its nesting habits 

 form a curious and well-marked instance of how a bird's manner of nesting may 

 become altered by the advent of man. Perhaps the Swifts, if they were capable of 

 philosophizing on the subject, would rejoice at the benefit man has conferred upon 

 them by furnishing such safe and convenient places as chimneys for nesting sites. 

 The bird's legs are very weak; it does not, therefore, perch like other birds, but 

 clings with its toes and braces itself with its stiff tail-feathers. 



TIG. 156. CHIMNEY SWIFT. Fid. 157. TOOT AND TAIL, OF CHIMNEY SWIFT. 



The nest is composed of small twigs glued together by the bird's glutinous saliva, 

 and is placed against the vertical inner wall of a chimney, so as to form a half- 

 saucer-shaped structure. Four to six pure white eggs are laid. Size .80 x .50. 

 These are known to be deposited in this State from late May to mid-July. 



This species seems to leave North Carolina for its winter home about the first 

 week in October, our latest dates ranging from October 1 at Raleigh, to October 11 

 at Weaver ville. 



The Chimney Swift subsists entirely on insects, which it catches on the wing, 

 and the number it destroys must be so enormous as to render it an exceedingly 

 useful species. 



40. FAMILY TROCHII_ID>E. HUMMINGBIRDS 



About five hundred species of Hummingbirds are known. These are confined 

 chiefly to South America. Seventeen forms reach the United States, but only one 

 is found east of the Mississippi River. They possess long, slender bills, and their 

 wings are much pointed. 



Genus Archilochus (Reichenb.) 



186. Archilochus colubris (Linn.}. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. 



Description: Ad. cf . Upperparts bright, shining green; wings and tail fuscous, with purplish 

 reflections; throat beautiful metallic ruby-red, bordered on the breast by whitish; rest of the 



