488 



PKRCIIIXG i;iRDS 



Martin '^'^^ martin, or house-martin, as it is often called, 



(Chelidon urbica) '^ ^'^^ t\pical representative of a small genus, all 

 the members of which are confined to the Old 

 World. From the swallows and sand-martins these birds arc easily 

 distinguished by the complete feathering of the legs and feet, and 

 likewise by the broad uhitc band across the loins, which forms a 

 conspicuous feature when the\- are fl}'ing below the level of the 

 e)-es of the spectator. In the present species the tail is forked to a 

 considerable depth, although not nearl)' to the same extent as in the 

 swallow, but in one of the IIimala\-an members of the group it is 



scjuared. The plumage of the upper- 

 parts is of the steely blue-black type 

 characteristic of the swallows, but 

 there are no white spots on the tail- 

 feathers. 



As there is only one British 

 representative of the group, little 

 need be added to the above general 

 description. It may be mentioned, 

 however, that the bird is consider- 

 abh" larger than the sand-martin ; 

 that the two sexes are alike in 

 colouring ; and that in young birds 

 ■£ mm the colour is sooty brown above, 



w ' with but little gloss, the white loin- 



patch being, however, fully developed. 

 Wintering in Africa, and to 

 some extent in India (where it also 

 occasionally nests), the martin arrives in England in the middle or 

 later part of April, and normally remains till September or October, 

 although laggards may occasionally be seen in the two following 

 months. Eastward the martin extends as far as Turkestan, while 

 to the northward it breeds in the Hebrides, Orkneys, and Shetland, 

 as well as throughout the greater part of Scandinavia, where, however, 

 it becomes scarce in the northern districts. Young martins have been 

 seen in the nest so late as October i i, and it is stated that they are 

 commonly found in this condition at Scarborough in September. 



Like the swallow, but unlike the sand-martin, the present species 

 has altered its original habits in order to adapt itself to a life in the 

 neighbourhood of human habitations and outbuildings. I'ormerly, 

 no doubt, martins alwa\-s built their cleverly constructed mud-nests 



•tOWLAND WARD STUDIOS 



MA K TIN. 



