OF VIRGINIA 171 
FAMILY MICROPODID/E.—SWIFTS. 
SUBFAMILY CH/AETURIN/E.—SPINE- 
TAILED SWIFTS. 
GENUS CHAETURA. 
[423]. Chetura pelagica (Linneus). Chimney Swift. 
[Chimney Swallow. Chimney Martin]. 
Rancr.—Breeds in eastern North America from south- 
eastern Saskatchewan, Manitoba, central Quebec, and 
Newfoundland south to the Gulf Coast, and west to the 
Plains from eastern Montana to eastern Texas; winters 
south of the United States, at least to Vera Cruz and 
Cozumel Island and probably in Central America; casual 
in southern Alberta; accidental in New Mexico and 
Greenland. 
Previous to the year 1910, I would have classed 
this bird with our most common birds, but since that time 
there seems to have been a great falling off in numbers, 
the reason for which I can not account. They formerly 
bred in hollow trees, but since the advent of human dwell- 
ings they have taken to the inside of chimneys for suitable 
places to attach their nest. There are many birds, though, 
still adhering to their old custom of building in hollow 
trees, but, like the engine, the chimney has come to stay, 
as a nesting place for the swifts. Three to four, five 
rarely, pure white eggs, is a full set; May 27th to June 
10th. Size .75x.50. For the benefit of those who wonder 
how I get nests sometimes ten to fifteen feet down the 
