DIFFERENTIAL POINTS : 
The nest is unique. The eggs resemble those of several other species. See White-bellied Swallow. 
REMARKS : 
The illustration, Plate LIII, Fig. 2, represents a nest and eggs of the Chimney Swift, built in a 
hollow apple-tree. The specimen was obtained by Mr. Jos. M. Thayer, of Cleveland, and kindly loaned 
to me for illustration. 
The Chimney Swift, in many of its habits, is very peculiar, and its nest is certainly a curious and 
ingenious piece of workmanship. All day the Swift flies high in the air, often out of sight, and never 
alights except at its nest or roost. Its food consists of various insects, which it procures while on the 
wing, occasionally after dark. The material for the nest is also obtained while flying, and in a remark- 
able manner. Having selected a site for their nest, the birds busy themselves gathering twigs every 
morning and evening until it is completed. Locust-trees and fruit-trees furnish the sticks for the ma- 
jority of nests, as they generally have numerous dead branches. The Swift, having chosen a tree from 
which the material is to be obtained, circles about it until a suitable twig is espied, then flies at it in a 
gently curving or straight line, in such a direction that it can be seized in the bill and broken off by 
the momentum acquired by the flight. If the twig does not break it is dropped, and another trial is 
made, or another twig selected. Both male and female gather sticks, but whether the male does or does 
not secrete glue, and just how important a part he takes in construction, I am unable to say. It is 
probable, however, that the female does the greater part of the work. Several nests are frequently built 
in one chimney; and if, as sometimes happens, hard rains so soften the glue of the nests that their own 
weight, and the weight of the little ones, precipitate them to the bottom of the flue, a great commotion 
follows for some days. Sometimes the nestlings manage to climb to the top of the chimney, but usually 
they perish of hunger. 
After the young are safely reared, the life of the Chimney Swift becomes a great holiday. All day 
they fly about in scattered communities, and at night collect in some favorite chimney to roost. It is 
an entertaining sight to see them, as night approaches, hastening from every direction to their home. 
At first, but few are to be seen ; but, as the evening glow begins to fade, more and more plentiful they 
become, delaying the roosting, however, until the last moment. They fly in circles around and around 
the chimney. Now a small band separates from the rest and flies off to prolong its frolic, now it re- 
turns and joins the throng, which resembles leaves carried up in a whirlwind more than a flock of birds. 
Now some sleepy fellow hangs over the chimney, as if hesitating or measuring the fall, then, suddenly, 
partially closing his wings, down he tumbles; a dozen follow in rapid succession. A short interval, and 
another group falls in, others follow, and still others. Now something disturbs those within, and out 
come fifty or more, and resume their circling flight. Finally, just as darkness comes on, they fall into 
the chimney in a column. In their eagerness some miss the flue, others strike the masonry, and, occa- 
sionally, one is impaled on a sharp-pointed lightning-rod. Thus, to the ordinary observer, ends for the 
night the incessant chatter and the whirling flight of this bird-colon}' ; but if, with superhuman power, 
one could divine the thoughts and emotions, the pleasures and hardships of the lives within that long, 
dark, and often sooty tube which the Chimney Swallow calls home, what sensational bird-history it would 
make ! 
188 
