HOUSE-MAETIN. 331 



pistol, that makes little noise, pick off these feathered 

 house-breakers whenever opportunity offers. Many- 

 people rather than drive away these amusing birds 

 have little wooden ledges placed under the nests 

 to preserve the cleanliness of their windows and door 

 steps ; but that this is not always an effectual remedy 

 will be seen by the following anecdote, related to me 

 by Mr. Ringer, of "West Harling. A gentleman of his 

 acquaintance residing in that neighbourhood, who, 

 though particularly partial to house-martins, objected 

 to the nuisance which their building entailed, had a 

 long board, the whole width of his house, fixed at a 

 convenient distance below their nests. Many pairs, 

 as usual, built under the eaves, and the old gentleman 

 was congratulating himself. on this happy idea when, 

 to his great vexation, a good many more persisted in 

 building below the board, and thus effectually frustrated 

 his good intentions. The same individual, also, being 

 much annoyed at the sparrows taking forcible possession 

 of the nests of his favourites, employed a man to shoot 

 at the sparrows as they flew out, and the martins, far 

 from being frightened by the report of the gun, would 

 repossess themselves instantly of their proper domiciles. 

 The application, however, of soft soap or cart-grease 

 when required, to the wall, the under side of the eaves 

 or protecting board is generally sufficient to hinder the 

 birds from attaching their nests to any place where 

 these would be found a nuisance. 



As soon as building has commenced in earnest, 

 we see these little creatures collecting mud fi-om the 

 sides of ponds and water courses, or settling on the 

 roads in busy groups to avail themselves of the 

 temporary moisture afforded by the water-carts in dry 

 seasons. How daintily they lift their wings and tails, 

 raising themselves up on their little white feet to avoid 

 contact with the dirty soil, then launching themselves 

 2tj2 



