THE CHIMNEY SWIFT 



The Swift is universally known as the Chimney Swallow, from 

 a belief that it belongs to the swallow family. It is, in fact, no 

 relative of the swallows, but very nearly related to the Whippoorwill 

 and Night-hawk. Swifts and swallows both have long, powerful 

 wings, which enable them to remain for long periods on the wing 

 in a restless search for insects. Scientists themselves were for a 

 long time misled by the resemblance in the appearance and habits 

 of the two families, but a close examination of the skeleton of the 

 two birds has convinced naturalists that the two families descended 

 from different ancestors, but have arrived at similar solutions of the 

 problem presented to them in their search for food. 



The Swift builds, as is well known, in the flues of chimneys. 

 It is often seen in May, dashing past the dead twigs of some tree, 

 and then off to the chimney, where the twigs are glued together 

 and to the bricks by the help of saliva secreted by the bird. A 

 common and distressing experience after a storm in summer is the 

 discovery of the young Chimney Swifts at the wrong end of the 

 chimney, — on the hearth, in other words. Even in their proper 

 place in the chimney, the young birds can make their presence very 

 well known by beginning, as soon as it is light, an incessant clamor 

 for food. 



The long narrow wings, the powerful chest muscles, the cut 

 of the bird's body, and the way the keel is ballasted, so to speak, 

 enable the bird to remain for hours in constant flight without appar- 

 ently experiencing the least fatigue. Swallows are often seen resting 



