CHIMNEY SWIFT OR SWALLOW. 
611 
tained an entire mass of decayed Swallow feathers, mixed 
with brownish dust and the exuviag of insects. In in- 
land towns they have been known to make their general 
roost in the chimney of the court-house. Before decend- 
ing, they fly in large flocks, making many ample and cir- 
cuitous sweeps in the air ; and as the point of the vortex 
falls, individuals drop into the chimney by degrees, until 
the whole have descended, which generally takes place 
in the dusk of the evening. They all, however, disap- 
pear about the first week in August. Like the rest of 
the tribe, the Chimney Swift flies very quick, and with 
but slight vibrations of its wings ; appearing as it were to 
swim in the air in widening circles, shooting backwards 
and forwards through the ambient space at great eleva- 
tions, and yet scarcely moving its wings. Now and then 
it is heard to utter, in a hurried manner, a sound like 
tsip tsip tsip tsee tsee. It is never seen to alight but in 
hollow trees or chimneys, and appears always most gay 
and active in wet and gloomy weather. The wonderful 
account of the Swallow roosts in Honduras, given by 
Captain Henderson, appears to be entirely applicable to 
this species. 
The Chimney Swift is 4J inches in length, and 12 in alar extent. 
Feet very muscular, the claws exceedingly sharp. The closed wings 
extend 1J inches beyond the tail, which is rounded, with the shafts 
extending beyond their vanes into sharp, strong, and very elastic 
points, which thus afford assistance in clinging to their singular roosts. 
The eye black, surrounded by a bare blackish skin or orbit. 
§ ii. — Nocturnal Family. 
With the head, eyes, and ears very large. The middle nail gene- 
rally pectinated on the inner side. The plumage loose, soft, and 
light, as in Owls. 
