SWIFTS, 193 



their levers ; and their wings are longer in proportion than 

 those of almost any other bird. When they mute, or ease 

 themselves in flight, they raise their wings, and make them 

 meet over their backs. 



At some certain times, in the summer, I had remarked 

 that swifts were hawking very low, for hours together, over 

 pools and streams ; and could not help inquiring into the 

 object of, their pursuit, that induced them to descend so much 

 below their usual range. After some trouble I found that 

 they were taking phryganece, epJiemerte, libelhilcB (cadew-flies, 

 may-flies, and dragon-flies), that were just emerged from their 

 aureUa state. I then no longer wondered that they shoiJd 

 be so vyilling to stoop for a prey that afibrded them such- 

 plentiful and succulent nourishment. 



They bring out their yoimg about the middle or latter- 

 end of July ; but as these never become perchers, nor, that, 

 ever I could discern, are fed on the wing by their dams, thef 

 coming forth of the young is not so notoiious as in the other 

 species. 



On the 30th of last June I imtiled the eaves of a house 

 where many pairs build, and foimd in each nest only two 

 squab, naked puUi. On the 8th of July I repeated the 

 same inquiry, and found they had made very little progress 

 towards a fledged state, but were stiU naked and helpless ; 

 from whence we may conclude, that birds whose way of life 

 keeps them perpetually on the wing, would not be able to 

 quit their nest till the end of the month. Swallows and 

 martins that have numerous families, are continually feeding 

 them every two or three minutes ; whUe swifts, that have 

 but two young to maintain, are much at their leisure, and do 

 not attend on their nests for hours together. 



Sometimes they pursue and strike at hawks that come in 

 their way, tut not with that vehemence and fury that swal- 

 lows express on the same occasion. They are out aU day 

 long on wet days, feeding about, and disregarding stiU rain; 

 from whence two things may be gathered, — first, that many 

 insects abide high in the air, even in rain • and next, that the 

 feathers of these birds must be weU preened to resist so much 

 wet. "Windy, and particularly windy weather with heavy 

 showers, they dislike, and on such days withdraw, and are 

 scarcely ever seen. 



