Identifier: camerastudiesofw1911reed (find matches)
Title: Camera studies of wild birds in their homes
Year: 1911 (1910s)
Authors: Reed, Chester A, (Chester Albert. 1876-1912
Subjects: Birds Photography
Publisher: Boston : W.B. Clarke Co.
Contributing Library: Boston Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Boston Public Library

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ere the little gnats andflies they like so well are the most abundant, but it is notso plain why any species of bird should desert the compara-tively clean cavities of decayed trees for the dirty, sootyinteriors of brick chimneys. It seems like a retrogressiverather than a progressive development. Swifts return to the northern states about the middle ofApril each year, but they delay their nest building untilearly May when the weather is more settled. It is quitenecessary that the air be dry when they make their homesfor they are held together entirely by glue which does notharden rapidly in damp weather. This glue is made bythe swifts from their saliva; it is very hard and almostwaterproof when dry. Their nest building is very interesting to watch but it isa slow operation often keeping the two birds busy for a weekmore. It is made of twigs varying in length from half aninch to a couple inches. They must of necessity be deadtwigs for the birds break them from the tips of branches, 32
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Fig. 2y. CHIMNEY SWIFT.Note how the tail spines assist them in clinging to the upright surface. 33 while hovering in the air; I have on numerous occasionsseen them secure nesting material in this way but never,except twice, did I see them alight on the ground to pickup pieces. The inside of the chimney, at the point selected, issmeared with glutinous saliva and the little twig coveredwith the same; each tiny stick is added in this manner un-til the nest projects from the wall for two or three inchesand the interior is an inch deep. It makes a very strong littlehome when properly made. Often, however, they fail tomake the front wall sufficiently high so that some of theeggs roll or are pushed out by the sitting bird. The eggs, white and from three to five in number, requireincubating for nearly three weeks before they hatch. Theyoung birds remain in the chimney for nearly a month longerbefore they are able to venture out on their wings. So thenesting of swifts is a slow process requiri

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