SWIFTS.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPFCTATOR:1 SIR.—We were pleased on reading "G. M. T.'s " letter in the Spectator of August 14th to find that his experience of swifts coincides so exactly with our own. We live in a moorland village in the north-east of Yorkshire ; our house has an old red-tiled roof, which has been inhabited for years by sparrows, starlings, and swifts. The latter arrive between May 8th and 16th. When the time approaches we notice great uneasiness among the sparrows and starlings, who appear to be watching for the swifts. They arrive late in the evening, or daring the night, and remain hidden for quite twenty- four hours, resting probably after their long journey. But what a commotion there is in the morning, when the other birds awake and find that their enemies have returned ! Then commences the warfare mentioned by "U. M. T." This year the starlings at once removed their young ones, and the swifts and sparrows fought incessantly for quite a fortnight, gradually settling down and living peaceably side by side. We love the swifts ; they seem to know and greet us; for when we are in the garden, especially in the evening, they swoop down upon us and almost touch our heads. They leave in the middle of August without giving us any warning. Alas! we have not heard their joyous cries, and the swish of their powerful wings, since Sunday, and fear that nine long months must pass before they take up their abode again in our old roof.—I am, Sir, dr.n.,
M. A. B.
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