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THE CHIMNEY SWALLOW, OR AMERICAN SWIFT. 



"f Ch^tura pelasgia, Temm. 



PLATE XLIV.— Male, Female, and Nest. 



Since the progress of civilization in our country has furnished thousands 

 of convenient places for this Swallow to breed in, safe from storms, snakes, 

 or quadrupeds, it has abandoned, with a judgment worthy of remark, its 

 former abodes in the hollows of trees, and taken possession of the chimneys 

 which emit no smoke in the summer season. For this reason, no doubt, it 

 has obtained the name by which it is generally known. I well remember 

 the time when, in Lower Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois, many resorted to 

 excavated branches and trunks, for the purpose of breeding; nay, so strong 

 is the influence of original habit, that not a few still betake themselves to 

 such places, not only to roost, but also to breed, especially in those wild 

 portions of our country that can scarcely be said to be inhabited. In such 

 instances, they appear to be as nice in the choice of a tree, as they generally 

 are in our cities in the choice of a chimney, wherein to roost. Sycamores of 

 gigantic growth, and having a mere shell of bark and wood to support them, 

 seem to suit them best, and wdierever I have met with one of those patriarchs 

 of the forest rendered habitable by decay, there I have found the Swallows 

 breeding in spring and summer, and afterwards roosting until the time of 

 their departure. I had a tree of this kind cut down, which contained about 

 thirty of their nests in its trunk, and one in each of the hollow branches. 



The nest, whether placed in a tree or chimney, consists of small dry twigs, 

 which are procured by the birds in a singular manner. While on wing, the 

 Chimney Swallows are seen in great numbers whirling round the tops of 

 some decayed or dead tree, as if in pursuit of their insect prey. Their 

 movements at this time are extremely rapid; they throw their body suddenly 

 against the twig, grapple it with their feet, and by an instantaneous jerk, 

 snap it off short, and proceed with it to the place intended for the nest. The 

 Frigate Pelican sometimes employs the same method for a similar purpose, 

 carrying away the stick in its bill, in place of holding it with its feet. 



The Swallow fixes the first sticks on the wood, the rock, or the chimney 

 wall, by means of its saliva, arranging them in a semicircular form, crossing 

 and interweaving them, so as to extend the framework outwards. The 

 whole is afterwards glued together with saliva, which is spread around it for 

 an inch or more, to fasten it securely. When the nest is in a chimney, it is 



A 



