The Singing of Birds. E.P.Bicknell. 
Chaetura pelasgica. Chimney Swift. 
The rapidly accelerated chatter which the Swift runs off so 
airily while on the wing, accompanies its flight through most of 
the summer — in fact as long as the birds remain common. This 
may be from early August till well on towards the end of the 
month. 
Late in the stay of the species I have sometimes heard their full 
notes while watching small companies of the birds tarrying at 
dusk over low grounds and meadows to join the Swallows insect- 
hunting. 
In the summer the Chimney Swifts are disposed to be liveliest 
late in the day, and the warm evenings are enlivened by their 
nervously rapid twittering as in wisps of two or three or more they 
race with astonishing velocity through the air. , 
But they are quickly affected by a fall of temperature, and in 
suddenly cool evenings, chiefly in late summer, are to be seen 
flying silently about in marked contrast with their usual noisy 
demeanor. Atlk, 2, July, 1886. p. 26 7 . 
