THE SWIFT. 83 



similar localitifis. Rut, when it resides near the hahitations of 

 man, it attaches itself to him like the swallow and the martin. 

 Slates and tiles have, however, driven the Swift away from many 

 a spot wherein it was once plentiful, for it loves to penetrate 

 into thatch and therein to rear its hungry brood. 



T can well remember the gradual ejection of the Swifts from a 

 country town, on accoiint of architectural improvements. For- 

 merly, when all the less pretending houses were covered with 

 thatch, the Swifts had their nests in every roof, and the " Jacky 

 Screamers," as the peasants called tlie birds, used to hunt for 

 flies in the streets, and boldly carry their prey to their young. 

 The houses were so low that a man could touch the eaves merely 

 by standing on a chair, and the habits of the birds were easily 

 watched. Their nests were frequently robbed, bnt the birds 

 seemed to care little for their bereavement, and when the eggs 

 were renjoved, would quietly lay another couple or so. 1 seldom 

 found more than three eggs in a nest. 



By watching the Swift enter the tunnel leading to its nest, the 

 object of the oddly-formed feet is clearly ascertained. The legs 

 are very short but strongly made, and the toes are all furnished 

 with strong curved claws, and directed forward, so that the bird is 

 unable to clasp a branch with its feet. This structure enables 

 it to scramble through its tunnel with great rapidity, and it is 

 most interesting to see the Swift wheel round in the air with 

 a piercing cry, answered by a little complacent chirrup from 

 its mate within the nest, dart into the hole as if shot from a 

 bow, closing its wings as it enters the tunnel, and then scramble 

 away with a quick and certain gait that never fails to excite 

 admiration. 



The nest itself is a very simple affair. Any soft material 

 seems to suit the Swift, which brings hay, flakes of wool, bits of 

 rag, feathers, paper, string, and many other substances into the 

 burrow. With these materials it makes a tolerably compact 

 nest, which is generally to be found at a distance of eighteen 

 inches or two feet from the entrance of the burrow. The holes 

 which have been made by rats are mostly used for this pur- 

 pose, but if the bird cannot find a hollow already existing, it is 

 quite capable of forming one for itself, and by dint of pulling 

 out the straws in some weak spot, and pushing aside those 

 which it cannot extract, it soon makes a burrow large enough 

 for its purpose. 



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