What bird is that?

by Frank M. Chapman

SWIFTS. FAMILY MICROPODIDÆ

CHIMNEY SWIFT
Chætura pelagica. [Case 6]. Fig. 42

A near relative of the Hummingbird, not of Swallows. Note the 'spine'-tipped tail-feathers.

Range. Eastern North America; winters in Central America; reaches the Gulf States in March.

Washington, abundant S.R., Apl. 6-Oct. 27. Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 19-Oct. 23. Cambridge, abundant S.R., Apl. 25-Sept. 20. N. Ohio, abundant S.R., Apl. 10-Oct. 20. Glen Ellyn, common S.R., Apl. 16-Sept. 29. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 20-Sept. 18.

A twittering courser of evening skies who makes his home in our chimneys. Here the bracket-like nest of dead twigs is attached to the bricks by the bird's saliva, to be loosened, at times, after heavy rains and fall to the fire-place below. In the fall great flocks roost in chimneys, generally large ones, returning night after night.

The 4-6 white eggs are laid in May.

---