The Chimney Swift by John Burroughs

Name: The Chimney Swift
Author: John Burroughs

This work is a collection of essays that explore the natural world and the human experience through observations of birds, particularly the Chimney Swift. The author's writing style is characterized by his attention to detail and his ability to convey complex ideas in simple language. Throughout the book, the author reflects on the symbolism and significance of the Chimney Swift, drawing parallels between its behavior and the human condition. The essays are written in a lyrical and descriptive style, with vivid imagery and a strong sense of place. The work is divided into several sections, each exploring a different aspect of the bird's life cycle and its relationship to the natural world. Ultimately, the book is a meditation on the interconnectedness of all living things and our place within the natural world.

By John Burroughs · First published 1867 · Genre: Nature Writing, Essay, Non-fiction · 1,929 words

First lines

One day a swarm of honey-bees went into my chimney, and I mounted the stack to see into which flue they had gone. As I craned my neck above the sooty vent, with the bees humming about my ears, the first thing my eye rested upon in the black interior was a pair of long white pearls upon a little shelf of twigs, the nest of the chimney swallow, or swift, -- honey, soot, and birds' eggs closely associated. The bees, though in an unused flue, soon found the gas of anthracite that hovered about the top of the chimney too much for them, and they left. But the swifts are not repelled by smoke. They seem to have entirely abandoned their former nesting-places in hollow trees and stumps, and to frequent only chimneys. A tireless bird, never perching, all day upon the wing, and probably capable of flying one thousand miles in twenty-four hours, they do not even stop to gather materials for their nests, but snap off the small dry twigs from the tree-tops as they fly by. Confine one of these swifts to a room and it does not perch, but after flying till it becomes bewildered and exhausted, it clings to the side of the wall till it dies. Once, on returning to my room after several days' absence, I found one in which life seemed nearly extinct; its feet grasped my finger as I removed it from the wall, but its eyes closed, and it seemed about on the point of joining its companion, which lay dead upon the floor.

What this Textopian page supports

The Chimney Swift is listed on Textopian as a short story by John Burroughs, dated 1867 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: John Burroughs
Date: 1867 CE
Language: English
Genres: Nature Writing, Essay, Non-fiction, Memoir, Environmental Literature
Length: 1,929 words
Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Chimney Swift by John Burroughs
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Chimney Swift?
How does this short story by John Burroughs fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Nature Writing first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Nature Writing — The work focuses on the behavior and characteristics of chimney swifts, emphasizing observation and appreciation of nature.
Essay — The text presents a reflective and descriptive exploration of a specific subject, typical of essay format.
Non-fiction — The content is based on real observations and facts about chimney swifts and their behavior.
Memoir — The narrative includes personal experiences and reflections related to the author's encounters with the birds.