186 The Common Swefe. 


This bird builds its nest in elevated places, such as 
old steeples, towers, and roofs of houses. A small pas- 
sage leads to the nest, which is composed of a variety 
of materials that the wind can waft aloft, such as small 
pieces of muslin, feathers, and other light substances. 
It is supposed to catch these things in the air. The 
nest is of a careless structure, and usually contains five 
eggs, rather spindle-shaped. The duty of incubation 
is performed in May: the young are obliged to stay 
in the nest as a matter of necessity until the latter end 
of June, when they are quite fledged, and are then 
able to take care of themselves. These birds, both 
old and young, assemble in large numbers in July, and 
continue doing so till the month of August, after which 
they are to be seen no more in England. 

