OF 8ELB0RNE. 307 



thatched roofs. We remember but one 

 instance where they breed out of build- 

 ings ; and that is in the sides of a deep 

 chalk-pit near the town of Odiham, in this 

 county, where we have "seen many pairs 

 entering the crevices, and skimming and 

 squeaking round the precipices. 



As I have regarded these amusive birds 

 with no small attention, if I should ad- 

 vance something new and peculiar with 

 respect to them, and different from all other 

 birds, I might perhaps be credited ; espe- 

 cially as my assertion is the result of many 

 years exact observation. The fact that I 

 would advance is, that swifts tread, or 

 copulate, on the wing : and I would wish 

 any nice observer, that is startled at this 

 supposition, to use his own eyes, and I 

 think he will soon be convinced. In ano- 

 ther class of animals, viz. the insect, no- 

 thing is so common as to see the different 

 species of many genera in conjunction as 

 they fly. The swift is almost continually 

 on the wing ; and as it never settles on the 

 ground, on trees, or roofs, would seldom 



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