202 BIRDS 



markable to notice, and when the bird is in motion 

 its powers are wonderful to behold. The mad 

 rush of the Swifts on a Summer's evening is one of 

 the most interesting birdland sights, and the inces- 

 sant scream that is uttered by the little company 

 adds a touch of weirdness to the scene. Under- 

 neath the roofs of buildings, in church towers, 

 ruins, and other similar places the Swift finds a 

 congenial nesting place and there constructs a 

 paraphernalia homestead. The eggs are white and 

 two or three in number. The great amount of 

 good which this bird and the Swallow and Martin 

 perform in ridding the air of insect-pests is in- 

 estimable, and the large family of Warblers also 

 perform useful work in this respect. 



A number of interesting birds are always on 

 view at the Zoological Society's Gardens in 

 Regent's Park, not only in the collection itself, but 

 wild birds in the gardens. I have heard Black- 

 birds and Thrushes there singing an evening chorus. 

 I have heard the Hedge Sparrow chant his love- 

 song and the Chaffinch tune his lute. I remember, 

 too, that the only time I ever heard a House 

 Sparrow sing was at the Zoo Gardens. The bird 

 was exploring some spouting on the small 

 Mammals' house, and all at once surprised me 

 by uttering quite a musical little song! I could 

 hardly believe my own ears, but my eyes did not 

 deceive me. Once and once only have I heard 



