58 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis 



In some cases they give offense by making noise in the 

 early morning or by the shrill twitter of the young when 

 being fed and cause people to close their chimneys 

 against these lovable birds, whose services in the destruc- 

 tion of disagreeable and obnoxious insects are so very 

 beneficial to mankind. Fortunately there are many chim- 

 neys not used in summer to be found in populous districts, 

 and where all other suitable places such as garrets, barns, 

 etc., are absent, instances have been reported where the 

 daring bird has built its nest several feet below the 

 ground to the side of deserted wells. 



The occasion of the first flight of young Swifts is made 

 a holiday affair for all the Swifts of the neighborhood 

 and is attended by much merry noise-making. 



After the young are strong on the wing the whole fam- 

 ily betakes itself in the evening to the community roost 

 and these places are used for rest until migration from 

 the north sets in, when all resort to the great roost where 

 hundreds and thousands can spend the nights together. 

 These are the places that cause so much comment and 

 admiration, because they offer a spectacle which even the 

 most unobserving and disinterested passer-by cannot 

 overlook. The first settlers of the country were struck 

 with the novelty of seeing a cloud of small birds revolv- 

 ing above an old hollow tree and at last disappearing 

 within it. They called these trees ''Swallow trees," be- 

 cause they took the birds for Swallows, though England 

 has a bird which is called Swift, a cousin of ours, but of 

 another genus, a CVpselus, a spineless Swift of similar 

 appearance, but different habits. 



Swallow trees may still exist in remote regions, but all 

 over their United States range Swifts are now known to 

 occupy large chimneys for this purpose and, if not dis- 

 turbed, return to them year after year in ever-increasing 

 numbers. 



We St. Louisans have always had excellent opportu- 

 nity for watching such Swift chimneys. From the south- 



