74 NATURAL HISTORY IBirds. 



Species 2. — The Martin* 



Martin, Martlet, or Martinet, Wil. Orn. 213. Rati Syn. Av. 71. Hirundo Ur- 

 bica, Lin.Sys. 344. Brit. Zool. 243. 



The only place I have observed this species in Orkney is 

 the great church of Kirkwall, where they make their clay 

 nests in the corners of the windows. In Scotland 1 remember 

 to have seen them build in rocks, and in the arches of bridges, 

 particularly in one called the Gannachie-Bridge, in the shire 

 of Angus, where they build in hundreds. Here they are less 

 frequent ; like the last they go oiF in winter. 



Species 3. — The Sand'Marttn. 



Sand-Martin, or Shore-Bird, Wil. Om.213. Raii Syn Av. 71. Hirundo Ri- 

 paria, Lin. St/s. 344. Brit. Zool. 244. U7c. Witchuck. 



This is the most common bird of the swallow-tribe in the 

 Orkney Isles ; builds very frequently in the banks of the loch 

 of Stennes, and that of Skeal, in the sand. The nest is placed 

 a good way under ground, and composed of all the soft mate- 

 rials it can pick together, such as hay, straw, feathers, &c. 



* I have observed the Black-Martin (Hirundo apus, Lin.) once or twice, but 

 seemingly strayed birds. 



