As I have regarded these amusive birds with no small attention, if I
should advance something new and peculiar with respect to them,
and different from all other birds, I might perhaps be credited;
especially as my assertion is the result of many years' exact
observation. The fact that I would advance is, that swifts tread, or
copulate, on the wing: and I would wish any nice observer, that is
startled at this supposition, to use his own eyes, and I think he will
soon be convinced. In another class of animals, viz., the insect,
nothing is so common as to see the different species of many
genera in conjunction as they fly. The swift is almost continually
on the wing; and as it never settles on the ground, on trees, or
roofs, would seldom find opportunity for amorous rites, was it not
enabled to indulge them in the air. If any person would watch these
birds of a fine morning in May, as they are sailing round at a great
height from the ground, he would see, every now and then, one
drop on the back of another, and both of them sink down together
for many fathoms with a loud piercing shriek.
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