THE MAETTN.* 



Tlie mai'tin, or window swallow, is the least of the family that visit this country. It 

 usually appears a few days later than the swallow, probably commencing its flight at the 

 same time, but having a smaller wing it is unable to fly as rapidly as its *' companions in 

 travel." The quiet beauty by which it is characterised, the grace of its flight, the confi- 

 dence which it ob^-iousl}' reposes in man in the choice of its dwelling, and its useful and 

 unostentatious habits, entitle it to the regard with which it is welcomed by all classes of 

 the community. 



The formation of its nest has been referred to by Pliny. "Surely," he remarks, " in 

 no one thing is the wit of sillie birds more admirable. The swallows frame their nests 

 of claj' and earth, but they strengthen and make them fast with straw. In case at any 

 time they cannot meet with soft and tough clay, for want thereof they wet and drench 

 theii' featliers with good store of water, and then bestrew them over with dust." While 

 the building of the nest is in progress, the martin may frequently be found in the 

 neighbourhood of damp places, moulding the clay which is to form the walls, and for 

 this purpose, as M. Vieillot asserts, selecting worm casta as the best matei'ial. This 

 probably acquires an increased tenacity from the saliva which it is believed is mingled 

 with it. In confirmation of this, it has been observed that the clay which has just 

 been added in the formation of the walls of the nest has much more moisture in it than 

 that of the places from which it has been taken ; while the possession on the part of the 



Hirundo Urbica. — Linn. 



