and Window Sucallonso (Hirundo urhica), 521 



end of the boat to the other, when an attempt is made to seize 

 it. The swallow and marten come either singly or in small 

 parties, and, if they do not happen to be our own residents, 

 soon pass on to their accustomed haunts ; so that after two or 

 three have been seen, it may perhaps be a fortnight before 

 others make their appearance. In 1831 a single swallow was 

 seen by a fisherman near the Eddystone on the 4th of April ; 

 again, a company of four was seen on the 1 3th at sea, flying 

 low, and making towards the land, at 3 o'clock p.m. Two 

 martens were also seen on the 16th; but the first of either 

 of these that I saw was on the 1 9th. Martens and swallows 

 continued to fly on board fishing-boats, at the distance of ten 

 leagues from land, through the whole of May ; my last note 

 of that circumstance being so late as the 28th of that month. 

 There are rarely more than two or three in a company ; and, 

 considering that the wheatear and willow wren cross in safety, 

 the state of fatigue in which they are seen is remarkable. One 

 man informs me that in fine weather he has often seen them 

 drop on the water, flat and with the wings expanded, and 

 presently after fly off* again, as if refreshed. 



The extraordinary confidence which these birds repose in 

 man, in placing their nests among his dwellings, is worthy of 

 notice, and explains a circumstance that is singular in the 

 feathered race : 1 allude to the fact of their singing on their 

 nests, which can only take place where there is no desire of 

 concealment. The nest of the swallow is commonly in an 

 unused chimney, but I have known it on the rafters of a 

 deserted house ; and at Trelawny a swallow has for several 

 years found an entrance through a loophole in a turret, and 

 fixed its nest against a chamber-door. The nest of the marten 

 is placed under the eaves of houses, and the birds usually 

 dedicate a few hours in the morning to the work, leaving it to 

 dry during the remainder of the day ; but I have known them 

 neglect a fine morning, and carry on the work through the 

 afternoon, from no other apparent reason than the facility of 

 procuring mortar at that period from a small distance, in a 

 place which in the morning was covered by the tide. In 

 selecting a place for the nest, they are much influenced by its 

 affording them a favourable fall in taking flight : and I have 

 known them forsake a situation in which they had long been 

 accustomed to build, only because a low wall had been erected 

 in a situation that interfered with their comfortably taking 

 flight. Towards the end of the season, these birds congre- 

 gate, in rather large companies, on the roof of a house, or 

 other favourable situation ; from which some are continually 

 taking flight, and to which others are perpetually returning. 



