Jan., 1917 



FURTHER NOTES ON THE WHITE-THROATED SWIFT 



The nests that have been taken were from three different localities, and 

 nests have been observed in three others. Two seemingly ideal locations for 

 the swifts, having the same characteristics as the others, have never been used 

 either for nests or for roosting, and I am not able to offer any reason for this. 

 The fissures where nests have been located seem to be used only in the 

 nesting season of May and June ; during the balance of the year the birds con- 

 gregate in large openings 

 within rocks. The earli- 

 est and latest records I 

 have for taking eggs are 

 May 17 and June 13, re- 

 spectively, both sets be- 

 ing fresh. The breeding 

 season is so short that I 

 am almost sure that but 

 a single brood is raised. 

 Incubation does not start 

 until the set is complete. 



During the heavy rains 

 of January, 1916, quite a 

 number of swifts were 

 found on the ground in a 

 helpless condition. It 

 seems that some of the 

 crevices had become 

 flooded with water which 

 had drenched the birds, 

 causing them to attempt 

 to escape, but it was im- 

 possible for them to fly 

 Pwith wet feathers. Sev- 

 eral of these birds were 

 kept in a warm place till 

 their feathers were dry 

 enough for them to fly 



k 4. - PPM! <v ^ \ away. 



Observations are such 

 as to fully convince me 

 that these birds are 

 residents here through- 

 out the year. Many days 

 often pass by during the 

 fall and winter when no 

 swifts are seen, and then 

 at some unexpected time 

 they appear in large 

 numbers. The most common time of day for the swifts to be seen is the late 

 afternoon, and when a swift can be located flying about, one is almost certain 

 to soon see many more, except it be in the breeding season. They fly about in 

 the vicinity of the crevices where they make their homes and seem to have no 

 fear of humans, hawks, or noise ; yet, apparently as if at some signal, all the 



Fig. 4. Portiox of Swift cliff. The man is about 



THIRTY FEET FROM THE BOTTOM AND 130 FEET FROM 

 THE TOP. THE ROCKS HAVE BEEN TAKEN AWAY AND 

 HE IS IN THE ACT OF REMOVING SET NO. 4. 



