The New Student's Reference Work/Swift

Swift or Chim′ney-Swal′low, a small bird abundant in the eastern United States, nesting in chimneys. Notwithstanding its common name, the bird is not a swallow (q. v.), having only a superficial resemblance to the latter birds, while in structure it is very different. It is closely related to the humming-birds and the goat-suckers. The bird is about five and one fourth inches long, of sooty-brown color, with a paler throat. The feathers of the short tail end is sharp bristles, which aid in climbing. There is only one kind in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, but there are about 50 species inhabiting the warmer parts of the world. In most of them the salivary glands are highly developed, and the secretion from them is used as a glue to hold the nest together and to its support. In China one species constructs a nest that is used in making soup.