The nestlings were two weeks old before the eyes began to open, and nearly three before they were much used. But when they were fully open, and the feathers had grown out and were fast becoming sooty instead of black, how winning these young birds appeared!
The time had now come to take up exercises preparatory to flying. The young aspirants would stand in the nest and for a time vibrate the wings rapidly, so rapidly that the identity of wing was lost. Two first ventured from home when nineteen days old, clinging to the wall for a short time a few inches from the nest.
One afternoon about this time there came a severe and prolonged shower. The rain beat into the chimney, reaching down to the nest. What, now did I see? Besides the five grown-up swiftlings, the three adults, packed in and upon the nest, the rain dripping from those which were exposed. I mention this incident to give an idea of the adhesiveness of the glue used in the construction of Swifts' nests.
July 20 I made the following note: "Swiftlings no longer make use of the nest, but dispose themselves in various parts of the chimney, sometimes in a cluster, sometimes in twos or threes, and sometimes separately. They take flying exercises up and down the chimney, but I believe have not yet left it." The next morning I was forced to conclude that three had taken flight into the great outside world, for upon looking the chimney over thoroughly with the aid of a small mirror, I could find but two birds.
The chimney was much used by this interesting family until the 24th of August. Early in the morning of that day a large number of Swifts were seen gathering in a flock at a short distance from the house. Ten o'clock that night I searched the chimney with a lighted candle, but found no sign of life, and I believe that the Swifts did not again enter within its walls.
[Three Cobb's Island Pictures]
BY WILLIAM L. BAILY
BLACK SKIMMER