Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 4 (1900).djvu/514

480 seen more than the one pair enter the nest. Last year the first egg was laid on June 5th.12th. As the Swifts were ceasing their noisy gatherings, and after the males had evidently accompanied the females in many instances to their nests, they returned again to the gathering, and in their further manœuvrings gradually reached a good altitude; here they seemed to eventually cease their screamings, and the flock to limit themselves more and more to a restricted area, until eventually they merely floated in company upon the wing—not in the so-called "night-flight," but in their "aerial sleep." Unfortunately, owing to the now fast decreasing light, these actions, even with a good glass, could not be studied for any length of time. 19th, 7.30 p.m. Six or more Swifts were circling around my house, and constantly flying up to the entrance of the nesting-hole, where the one was sitting, inviting, as it were, the sitting bird to join in their social gathering (if such a noisy concourse can be so termed) which was about to commence. 20th. The Swifts, whilst incubating, and, in fact, at all times whilst within the nest, seem absurdly tame, allowing me to handle them daily, and feel beneath to take particulars of the eggs under incubation, and not in any single instance leaving the nest, although the exit was always open. Occasionally I would be greeted by a flapping of wings, or the rubbing of the beak against my fingers in their attempt to peck me. 23rd. Eggs still in nest. 24th, 8.30 a.m. Two of the eggs hatched; one remains. Incubation lasts at least sixteen days. 26th, 6.30 a.m.; cold and windy. Both Swifts on nest, now containing three young.

July 4th, 9.5 p.m. Unless the nights are calm and warm, I do not think the Swifts ever sleep upon the wing. To-night was a perfect time for them, and they gave me a splendid opportunity of seeing them ascend. Several descended before the others rose to any considerable height; altogether about twelve remained in the company. One of the old birds remained with the two young (the third young one having died) throughout the night. 5th. The female (presumed in every instance) spends the greater part of the day with her young, and is now far more pugnacious than when with eggs. The feeding of the young does not take place continuously throughout, or at any particular part of the day; the female will leave the nest for some considerable time (even an hour or more), and returns with evidently sufficient food to satisfy the young for several hours at least. From present observation I do not think the male takes any share in providing for the young. 8th, 12 to 1 p.m. Female remains with young; 3 to 30, no Swift approaches the nest; 4.30 to 5.30, female absent from young, and did not return; 6.30, female on nest, and remained there all the evening. The male slept in company with the female. The one which I think was the female objected, as usual, to my intrusion, but the