SAND-MARTIN. 45 



The Martin, like the Swallow, the Sand-martin, and the Swift, 



comes to us from Africa ; but the Martin usually arrives some days 



later than the Swallow, and seems rather to prefer building in towns 



than on lone separate houses. 



Whence drew the Martin his stiperior skill, 

 To knead and temper, mason-like, the slime 

 Of street or stagnant pool, and build aloft 

 Beneath the cornice brink, or shady porch, 

 His snug dependent couch, on nothing hung ; 

 Founded in air, and finished with a neat 

 Convenient aperture, from whence he bolts 

 Sudden, and whither brisk returns, with mouth 

 Fill'd for his offspring. 



ilVRiiia— Favorite Village. 



Genus— COTILE. 



COTILE RIPARIA-Sand-martin. 



This bird, the smallest of its tribe, is very local in Hereford- 

 shire, there being but few places suitable for its nests. In the Wye 

 valley, and indeed throughout the county, where a vein of sand is 

 exposed above flood level, a colony establishes itself, as at the 

 Weir, and at the high river bank close to Clifford Castle ; and they 

 have recently established themselves in the mound at the back 

 of the Rifle-butts, Warham. But in Herefordshire such spots 

 are rare, as gravel is scarce throughout the county, and sand 

 almost unknown. How such tiny creatures can excavate such holes 

 at all, is a marvel, but they congregate in large colonies, wherever 

 they establish themselves. Their nests are said generally to abound 

 in fleas, especially as the summer advances. Boys, beware ! 



[Genus — Progne.] 



[Progne purpurea — Purple Martin.] 



Said to have been shot at Kingston, County Dublin, 1840. 



