SWIFTS 



(42 J) Ch^etura pelagica 



(Linn.) (Gr., a bristle, tail; Gr.. oceanic 

 — probably in error). 



CHIMNEY SWIFT. Whole 

 plumage sooty-black as shown; wings 

 long and narrow; tail feathers with 

 the quills projecting, forming spines 

 that enable the birds to cling to the 

 sides of chimneys or interiors of 

 hollow trees. L., 5.25; Ex., 12.50; 

 W., 5.00; T., 2.00, square-ended or 

 slightly rounded. Nest — Of small 

 twigs cemented to the insides of 

 cliimne>'s, hollow trees or caves; 

 three to five rather long, white eggs. 



Range — North America east of 

 the Rockies, breeding from New- 

 foundland, Quebec, and Sask. south 

 to the Gulf coast. Winters south 

 of the U. S., arriving here in April and 

 leaving in October. 



without concealment other than their mottling, which so 

 closely matches the gravel upon which they are laid; some- 

 times the two eggs will be found in a slight hollow on the 

 top of a large rock or, in cities, they often lay them on 

 hot gra^'el roofs. Should your course chance to lead you 

 near one of their nests, the female will sit close and motion- 

 less until there is danger of being trod upon, when she will 

 flutter along in front of you as though her long wings were 

 broken and incapable of sustaining her. 



Family MICROPODIDyE. Swifts 



CHIMNEY SWIFTS, as our illustration shows, have 

 little to commend them in the way of beauty, but they are of 

 unusual interest in their habits and are, besides, very useful, 

 for their food consists of nothing except insects. Structur- 

 ally they at once attract our attention because their feet 

 and legs are small and weak, adapted only to clinging; the 

 shafts of the tail feathers are extended and spiny, to assist 



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