CHIMNEY SWALLOW. 
151 
and, if they did, the smoke, I think, would be deleterious to 
their existence, especially as I never knew them to resort to 
kitchen chimneys where fire was kept in the summer. I think 
I have noticed them enter such chimneys for the purpose of 
exploring ; but I have also noticed that they immediately 
ascended, and went off, on finding fire and smoke.” 
The Chimney Swallow is easily distinguished in air from 
the rest of its tribe here, by its long wings, its short body, 
the quick and slight vibrations of its wings, and its wide 
unexpected diving rapidity of flight; shooting swiftly in various 
directions without any apparent motion of the wings, and 
uttering the sounds tsip tsip tsip tsee tsee in a hurried manner. 
In roosting, the thorny extremities of its tail are thrown in for 
its support. It is never seen to alight but in hollow trees or 
chimneys ; is always most gay and active in wet and gloomy 
weather ; and is the earliest abroad in the morning, and latest 
out in evening, of all our Swallows. About the first or 
second week in September, they move off to the south, being 
often observed on their route, accompanied by the Purple 
Martins. 
When we compare the manners of these birds, while here, 
with the account given by Captain Henderson of those that 
winter in such multitudes at Honduras, it is impossible not to 
be struck with the resemblance ; or to suppress our strong 
suspicions that they may probably be the very same. 
This species is four inches and a half in length, and twelve 
inches in extent ; altogether of a deep sooty brown, except 
the chin and line over the eye, which are of a dull white ; the 
lores, as in all the rest, are black ; bill, extremely short, hard, 
and black ; nostrils, placed in a slightly elevated membrane ; 
legs, covered with a loose purplish skin ; thighs, naked, and 
of the same tint; feet, extremely muscular; the three fore 
toes, nearly of a length ; claws, very sharp ; the wing, when 
closed, extends an inch and a half beyond the tip of the tail, 
which is rounded, and consists of ten feathers, scarcely longer 
than their coverts ; their shafts extend beyond the vanes, are 
