Chimney Swift 1 1 3 



that several nests were discovered in the great elms about the 

 place. Ruby-diroat is pugnacious and full of courage and 

 does not hesitate to tackle any bird, regardless of its size, 

 if it is found encroaching upon the domain of flowers. 

 Contrary to popular impression, the little creature feeds upon 

 insects as well as the nectar within the petals. Two white, 

 elongated eggs, about the size of a small pea, are laid. 



SUBORDER CYPSELI 



Family Micropodid* 



Chimney Swift. — Ch&tura pelagica. 5.43 



Common Summer Resident 



Field marks. — High up in the air, looks like tiny, black, 

 cigar-shaped airship, with long, rapidly-moving wings; 

 utters constant twittering in flight; tail short and tipped 

 with spines; flies down chimneys; never alights outside. 



There are probably few country chimneys in Albany 

 County that do not contain nests of this Swift. These are 

 little saucer-like affairs made of sticks stuck together with saliva 

 supplied by the bird. If you want to see a Chimney Swift's 

 nest, climb to the top of some old farm house along in June 

 and look down the chimney. You will be quite apt to discover 

 two or three, containing four or five white eggs, or the young. 

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