THE CHIMNEY SWIFT 67 



to town to witness the spectacle, and a spectacle 

 it was : ten thousand swifts, I should think, fill- 

 ing the air above a whole square like a whirl- 

 ing swarm of huge black bees, but saluting the 

 ear with a multitudinous chippering, instead of a 

 humming. People gathered upon the sidewalks 

 to see them. It was a rare circus performance, 

 free to all. After a great many feints and play- 

 ful approaches, the whirling ring of birds would 

 suddenly grow denser above the chimney ; then 

 a stream of them, as if drawn down by some 

 power of suction, would pour into the opening. 

 For only a few seconds would this downward 

 rush continue ; then, as if the spirit of frolic had 

 again got the upper hand of them, the ring would 

 rise, and the chippering and circling go on. In a 

 minute or two the same manoeuvre would be re- 

 peated, the chimney, as it were, taking its swal- 

 lows at intervals to prevent choking. It usually 

 took a half -hour or more for the birds all to dis- 

 appear down its capacious throat. There was al- 

 ways an air of timidity and irresolution about 

 their approach to the chimney, just as there al- 

 ways is about their approach to the dead tree-top 

 from which they procure their twigs for nest- 

 building. Often did I see birds hesitate above the 

 opening and then pass on, apparently as though 

 they had not struck it at just the right angle. 



