The Chimney Swift 
195 
“I well remember the time,” Audubon wrote in Volume 1 of his “Birds 
of America,” “when in lower Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois many re- 
sorted to excavated branches and trunks for the purpose of breeding; 
nay, so strong is the influence of original habit that not a few still 
(about 1808) betake themselves to such places, not only to roost, but 
also to breed. ... 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 a gigantic growth, and hav- 
ing a mere shell of bark and wood to support them, seem to suit them 
best ; and wherever I have met with one of these patriarchs of the forest 
NEST AND EGGS OF THE CHIMNEY SWIFT 
Photographed by B. S. Bowdish 
rendered habitable by decay, there I have found the Swallows [Swifts] 
of the forest breeding in spring and summer, and afterward roosting 
until the time of their departure.” 
A chimney is occupied usually by but one pair of birds. Audubon 
noticed this as a variation from the original habit of breeding, as well 
as roosting in communities in hollow trees. It is only in the autumn, 
when the Swifts accumulate from far and near about some favorite 
roosting-place, that we see many sleeping in one chimney. 
The eggs of the Chimney Swift number four or five, and are white. 
Nature is not inclined to lavish her coloring material on the shells of 
eggs where it is not needed. With comparatively few exceptions, those 
that are deposited in dark places, as in chimneys, or holes in trees, or 
in the ground, are white. Such eggs do not need the protection of color- 
ing matter, as do those that are laid in open nests, and are thus exposed 
to the eyes of many enemies. 
The Swift is a very valuable bird, as is shown by the following letter 
written February 23, 1911, by Mr. W. L. McAtee, of the United States 
Biological Survey: 
