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THE CHIMNEY SWALLOW, OR AMERICAN SWIFT. 
CHjEtura pelasgia, Temm. 
PLATE XLIY. — Yale, 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 thafcan 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 wherever 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 iri 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 
