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 THE CHIMNEY SWALLOW, OR AMERICAN SWIFT. 



CyFSELUS PELASGIUS, TeMM. 

 PLATE CLVIII. Male, Female, and Nest. 



Since our country has furnished thousands of convenient places for 

 this Swallow to breed in, free from storms, snakes, or quadrupeds, it has 

 abandoned, with a judgment worthy of remark, its former abodes in the 

 hollows of trees, and taken possession of the chimneys, which emit no 

 smoke in the summer season. For this reason, no doubt, it has obtained 

 the name by which it is generally known. I well remember the time 

 when, in Lower Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois, many resorted to exca- 

 vated branches and trunks, for the purpose of breeding ; nay, so strong 

 is the influence of original habit, that not a few still betake themselves to 

 such places, not only to roost, but also to breed, especially in those wild 

 portions of our country that can scarcely be said to be inhabited. In 

 such instances, they appear to be as nice in the choice of a tree, as they 

 generally are in our cities in the choice of a chimney, wherein to roost, 

 before they leave us. Sycamores of gigantic growth, and having a mere 

 shell of bark and wood to support them, seem to suit them best, and 

 wherever I have met with one of those patriarchs of the forest rendered ha- 

 bitable by decay, there I have found the Svvallows breeding in spring and 

 summer, and afterwards roosting until the time of their departure. I 

 had a tree of this kind cut down, which contained about thirty of their 

 nests in its trunk, and one in each of the hollow branches. 



The nest, whether placed in a tree or chimney, consists of small dry 

 twigs, which are procured by the birds in a singular manner. While on 

 wing, the Chimney Swallows are seen in great numbers whirling round 

 the tops of some decayed or dead tree, as if in pursuit of their insect prey. 

 Their movements at this time are extremely rapid ; they throw their body 

 suddenly against the twig, grapple it with their feet, and by an instanta- 

 neous jerk, snap it off short, and proceed with it to the place intended for 

 the nest. The Frigate Pelican sometimes employs the same method for 

 a similar purpose, carrying away the stick in its bill, in place of holding 

 it with its feet. 



The Swallow fixes the first sticks on the wood, the rock, or the chim- 



