582 IIIRUNDO URIJICA, 



nest. The quantity of mud carried in the mouth is inconsi- 

 derable compared with that carried on the sides of the mandi- 

 ble. They never alight on the nest without twittering. At 

 noon, if the weather is sultry, they betake themselves to the 

 fields, or taking a dip or two in the pond, they sun themselves 

 on the house-top for half an hour or so. Yet the latter act is 

 not always a consequence of the former. Previous to their 

 hawking about for food, sometimes one returns after the lapse 

 of an hour or two, retouches the work, and, if it is sufficiently 

 advanced, will sit for ten minutes or so to consolidate the ma- 

 terials. Should the day prove stormy, then they do not ap- 

 pear ; if it clear up, then they commence their labours. Should 

 it prove rainy, cold, or windy, then they work but little all day 

 long. They seldom recommence work till four or five in the 

 afternoon, sometimes not till six. When they cease for the 

 day, at the beginning of the work especially, both leave this 

 place, and probably go to Linton, which is some miles distant. 

 As the work advances, one and then both will sit all night, 

 sometimes even when windy and cold ; but on such occasions 

 they generally disappear. 



" To see these household birds constructing their nests in the 

 corners of our windows is a matter of such common occurrence 

 as to excite little more than a passing notice even from the field 

 naturalist ; but let any one watch, as I have often done, the 

 progress of their labours from the instant that the first knob 

 appears on the wall, till the last feather is laid in the finished 

 structure, and he will see much to admire in the instinctive 

 science, the industry, and perseverance, which they display. I 

 am aware that much has been written on this bird, but in 

 studying the habits of even our most common species, there is 

 still much to be done. In confirmation of the above remarks, 

 I will here present some extracts from my journal. 



" May 1st, 1839. — The Martins began to work by daybreak ; 

 w^orked till noon, sported about till 5 p.m., worked till 6, then 

 disappeared. Bright sunshine. Wind W. Therm. 62" at 

 noon. 



" 2d. Martins appeared at 11 a.m., an hour after began to 

 build a little, at 3 p.m. disappeared. Cloudy and cold. Wind W. 

 Therm. 56^ 



