‘ 4 
young ones appear the multitude of birds hawking in the neighbourhood is greatly 
increased. 
The end of August finds the numbers of Sand Martins considerably decreased, but they 
still frequent their old haunts, flying in large quantities over the meadows and rivers, and 
clustering on the reeds and telegraph wires in crowds. Flight after flight, however, take 
their departure, till by the end of September Sand Martins are rare birds in the land, and 
they have all returned to the sunny African clime from which they came to us in the spring. 
There is one other member of the same family, the Purple Martin of the American 
continent, a single example of which has been found in Ireland; but this, although a very 
interesting species, does not concern us here. The Swifts, too, although popularly associated 
with the Swallows, belong to an entirely distinct family (Cypselidx), their nearest allies being 
the Humming-Birds (Trochilide). 
And now if I have succeeded in interesting my readers in these charming birds, which 
are fraught with such pleasant associations, and whose habits are so attractive, may I 
earnestly beg that never again will they desecrate their remains by applying them to 
purposes of personal adornment—many thousands are killed, we are told, on their annual 
migrations to supply the demands of the “plume trade,” as offerings to that inexorable 
demon, FasHIon. How long will our wives and sisters turn a deaf ear to the pleadings of 
this and kindred societies on behalf of these and other lovely creatures, and for the sake of 
a passing whim compass their utter destruction? Will neither their beauty nor their utility 
save them from annihilation? and must the common right of all in the beautiful creations 
with which God has adorned the earth be sacrificed to the vanity and thoughtlessness of 
the few ? 
Illustration from “ British Birds,” by W. H. Hudson, by kind permission of Messrs. Longmans, Green & Co. 
Educational Series, 3 copies, 1d ; 1 dozen, 3d.; 100, 1s. 6d., post free. 
Pamphlets on the general question of Protection of Birds may also be obtained from the Society’s 
Publishing Department, Knowledge Office, 326, High Holborn, W.C., or of Mrs. F, E. Lemon, Hon See., 
Hillcrest, Redhill, Surrey. 
Special terms for County Councils and Educational Authorities. 
