CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 9 



ever, \dsited by a very high flood in June, which com- 

 pletely covered the whole of the island, and caused 

 considerable damage in the district by sweeping away 

 both cattle and sheep. 



I well remember landing, with a cast of the 

 phantom minnow, the carcase of a fine ram, which was 

 coming down the river with the first of the spate as 

 I was returning from fishing. 



The specimens in the case were obtained in Norfolk, 

 in May, 1870. 



HOUSE MAKTIN.~(Mature.) 



Case 11. 



To by far the greater number of the British public, 

 Swallows, Swifts, and Martins are generally known by 

 the name of Swallows. 



Those, however, who take an interest in our small 

 visitors may easily distinguish the little bird with blue- 

 black plumage and broad white bar across the tail, and 

 remember that scientific naturalists have bestowed on 

 that tiny traveller the euphonious title of " Hirundo 

 Urbica," while to humbler observers like ourselves it is 

 simply known as the House Martin. 



Most people welcome the arrival of these familiar 

 visitors, and afford them protection when nesting under 

 the eaves of their houses. They will, however, when 

 taking a fancy to the comer of a window-frame, occa- 

 sionally become a most persevering nuisance, insisting 

 to fix their nursery, with all its accompanying dirt, to 

 the glass of the window, even after receiving several 

 forcible hints that the situation is unsuitable. 



Like all the rest of the family, they are not only 



