chimney swallow
    n 1: American swift that nests in e.g. unused chimneys [syn:
         chimney swift, chimney swallow, Chateura pelagica]
    2: common swallow of North America and Europe that nests in
       barns etc. [syn: barn swallow, chimney swallow, Hirundo
       rustica]

Swift \Swift\, n.
   1. The current of a stream. [R.] --Walton.
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   2. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of small, long-winged,
      insectivorous birds of the family Micropodidae. In form
      and habits the swifts resemble swallows, but they are
      destitute of complex vocal muscles and are not singing
      birds, but belong to a widely different group allied to
      the humming birds.
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   Note: The common European swift (Cypselus apus syn.
         Micropus apus) nests in church steeples and under the
         tiles of roofs, and is noted for its rapid flight and
         shrill screams. It is called also black martin,
         black swift, hawk swallow, devil bird,
         swingdevil, screech martin, and shriek owl. The
         common American, or chimney, swift (Chaetura
         pelagica) has sharp rigid tips to the tail feathers.
         It attaches its nest to the inner walls of chimneys,
         and is called also chimney swallow. The Australian
         swift (Chaetura caudacuta) also has sharp naked tips
         to the tail quills. The European Alpine swift
         (Cypselus melba) is whitish beneath, with a white
         band across the breast. The common Indian swift is
         Cypselus affinis. See also Palm swift, under
         Palm, and Tree swift, under Tree.
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   3. (Zool.) Any one of several species of lizards, as the pine
      lizard.
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   4. (Zool.) The ghost moth. See under Ghost.
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   5. [Cf. Swivel.] A reel, or turning instrument, for winding
      yarn, thread, etc.; -- used chiefly in the plural.
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   6. The main card cylinder of a flax-carding machine.
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Chimney \Chim"ney\, n.; pl. Chimneys. [F. chemin['e]e, LL.
   caminata, fr. L. caminus furnace, fireplace, Gr. ? furnace,
   oven.]
   1. A fireplace or hearth. [Obs.] --Sir W. Raleigh.
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   2. That part of a building which contains the smoke flues;
      esp. an upright tube or flue of brick or stone, in most
      cases extending through or above the roof of the building.
      Often used instead of chimney shaft.
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            Hard by a cottage chimney smokes.     --Milton.
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   3. A tube usually of glass, placed around a flame, as of a
      lamp, to create a draft, and promote combustion.
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   4. (Min.) A body of ore, usually of elongated form, extending
      downward in a vein. --Raymond.
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   Chimney board, a board or screen used to close a fireplace;
      a fireboard.

   Chimney cap, a device to improve the draught of a chimney,
      by presenting an exit aperture always to leeward.

   Chimney corner, the space between the sides of the
      fireplace and the fire; hence, the fireside.

   Chimney hook, a hook for holding pats and kettles over a
      fire,

   Chimney money, hearth money, a duty formerly paid in
      England for each chimney.

   Chimney pot (Arch.), a cylinder of earthenware or sheet
      metal placed at the top of a chimney which rises above the
      roof.

   Chimney swallow. (Zool.)
      (a) An American swift (Ch[ae]ture pelasgica) which lives
          in chimneys.
      (b) In England, the common swallow (Hirundo rustica).

   Chimney sweep, Chimney sweeper, one who cleans chimneys
      of soot; esp. a boy who climbs the flue, and brushes off
      the soot.
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