Francis Charles Robert Jourdain

“ Although they resort to the nest-holes before that time, eggs are seldom found before the last days of May, and about the same numbers seem to return every year. Most nests in this neighbourhood are made under the eaves of lofty buildings or in thatch, but some pairs may be found nesting in the natural crevices of the steep limestone rocks at Dovedale and other places. The Swift can squeeze itself through a remarkably shallow opening, barely wide enough to admit the fingers, and the nests are usually some little way from the entrance. ”

“ When the birds are laying the eggs often roll out of the nest, especially when Starlings and Sparrows dispute the possession of the holes, and fragments of broken eggs are usually to be found underneath the breeding-place of a colony. ”

“ Young Swifts are extraordinarily unlike their parents, but, as they have already been described by White of Selborne and others, it is hardly necessary to do so here. One striking characteristic, which is very noticeable in the embryo, is the large proportionate size of the tibia as compared with the adult. The tarsus and claws are also well developed, while the featherless wings seem very small in proportion to the body. ”

“ Now, even supposing that the hens in nests 6 and 7 were sitting hard on empty nests, and had deposited their two eggs in two other nests (a most improbable supposition) , there still remain fifteen eggs as the produce of seven hens; so that at least one hen must have laid three eggs. ”