262 OUR FAVOURITE SONG BIRDS 



spring about the middle of April, a few days later in 

 the north than in the south. Its haunts are very 

 similar to those of the Swallow, but even more 

 of a cosmopolitan nature, for the bird not only 

 resorts to the neighbourhood of human habitations 

 in sufficiently rural districts but to marine and inland 

 cliffs. It is also more gregarious than the Swallow, 

 some of its nesting colonies being very extensive. 

 The habits of the two birds are very similar. There 

 is the same ceaseless flight and nervous activity, the 

 same coursing to and fro, now close to the ground, 

 then hundreds of feet above it, gliding, fluttering, 

 skimming here and there the livelong day on un- 

 tiring wings in quest of food. There are few prettier 

 sights than a large company of House- Martins en- 

 gaged in feeding above some large sheet of water. 

 Their flight is not quite so rapid and impetuous 

 as that of the Swallow, but it is equally powerful 

 and sustained. The Martins in an ever-moving 

 throng flit to and fro in mazy course, ever and anon 

 dipping to the water and striking the surface, now 

 rising and falling like shuttlecocks, or chasing each 

 other with shrill cries. Heavy rain will not deter 

 them in their restless search for food, and into the 

 darkening twilight their labours are often prolonged. 

 The air is the Martin's province ; and it will be 

 remarked that when the bird alights it does so 

 awkwardly and aided with its wings, which are kept 

 outspread and beating until a firm hold is secured. 



