480 TEE ZOOLOGIST. 



seen more than the one pair enter the nest. Last year the first egg 

 was laid on June 5th. 12th. As the Swifts were ceasing their noisy 

 gatherings, and after the males had evidently accompanied the females 

 in many instances to their nests, they returned again to the gathering, 

 and in their further manceuvrings gradually reached a good altitude ; 

 here they seemed to eventually cease their screamings, and the flock to 

 limit themselves more and more to a restricted area, until eventually 

 they merely floated in company upon the wing — not in the so-called 

 "night-flight," but in their "aerial sleep." Unfortunately, owing to 

 the now fast decreasing light, these actions, even with a good glass, 

 could not be studied for any length of time. 19th, 7.30 p.m. Six or more 

 Swifts were circling around my house, and constantly flying up to the 

 entrance of the nesting-hole, where the one was sitting, inviting, as it were, 

 the sitting bird to join in their social gathering (if such a noisy concourse 

 can be so termed) which was about to commence. 20th. The Swifts, whilst 

 incubating, and, in fact, at all times whilst within the nest, seem absurdly 

 tame, allowing me to handle them daily, and feel beneath to take particulars 

 of the eggs under incubation, and not in any single instance leaving the 

 nest, although the exit was always open. Occasionally I would be greeted 

 by a flapping of wings, or the rubbing of the beak against my fingers in 

 their attempt to peck me. 23rd. Eggs still in nest. 24th, 8.30 a.m. 

 Two of the eggs hatched ; one remains. Incubation lasts at least sixteen 

 days. 26th, 6.30 a.m. ; cold and windy. Both Swifts on nest, now con- 

 taining three young. 



July 4th, 9.5 p.m. Unless the nights are calm and warm, I do not think 

 the Swifts ever sleep upon the wing. To-night was a perfect time for 

 them, and they gave me a splendid opportunity of seeing them ascend. 

 Several descended before the others rose to any considerable height ; alto- 

 gether about twelve remained in the company. One of the old birds 

 remained with the two young (the third young one having died) throughout 

 the night. 5th. The female (presumed in every instance) spends the 

 greater part of the day with her young, and is now far more pugnacious 

 than when with eggs. The feeding of the young does not take place con- 

 tinuously throughout, or at any particular part of the day ; the female will 

 leave the nest for some considerable time (even an hour or more), and 

 returns with evidently sufficient food to satisfy the young for several hours 

 at least. From present observation I do not think the male takes any share 

 in providing for the young. 8th, 12 to 1 p.m. Female remains with young ; 

 3 to 30, no Swift approaches the nest ; 4.30 to 5.30, female absent from 

 young, and did not return ; 6.30, female on nest, and remained there all 

 the evening. The male slept in company with the female. The one 

 which I think was the female objected, as usual, to my intrusion, but the 



