156 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



yellowisli-brown , spotted, freckled, and blotched all 

 over with grey and greenish-brown. Size about 

 1-35 by -95 in. 



Time. — March, April, and May. 



Be))iarJi8. — Eesident. Notes, chattering. Local 

 and other names : Pyet, Madge, Mag, Maggie, 

 Pianet, Hagister. I have known the bird some- 

 times sit closely when not far advanced in incuba- 

 tion, and at otbers lightly ; something, I am inclined 

 to think, depending upon the height of the nest 

 from the ground. 



MARTIN, ^/.s-o Maetin, House. 



Description of Farent Birds. — Length about five 

 and a quarter inches. Bill short, flat, and wide 

 at the base, and black. Irides brown. Crown, 

 nape, and sides of ilie head, back and wing-coverts, 

 dark steely-blue. Wing-quills dull black ; rump 

 and upper tail-coverts white ; tail-quills dull black. 

 The tail is forked, but so much less so than tbat 

 of the Swallow that, apart from any difference of 

 coloration, it easily distinguishes the bird. Chin, 

 throat, breast, belly, and under -parts generally, 

 white. Legs and toes short, and almost bidden by 

 a profusion of flne, soft, white feathers. Claws grey. 



The female is very similar indeed in appearance, 

 although her plumage is perhaps not so bright. 



Siiuatiofi and Loccditij. — Under the eaves of 

 houses, stables, barns, and other buildings, angles 

 of windows, under the projecting '' ilirongh " stones 

 of barns ; in nooks and corners of rocks and sea 

 cliffs. Our illustration is from a photograph, taken 

 whilst two of the young ones had their heads out 

 awaiting anxiously the return of their parents. 

 I know a small stable in Surrey, under the eaves 



