18 



Case 153. 



SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica). 



This well-known summer visitor arrives in the South of England 

 early in April and is generally distributed throughout the British 

 Islands till September or October. The nest of mud, open above and 

 lined with dry grass and feathers, is usually built on the rafters of a 

 barn or out-house. The eggs, from five to six in number, are white, 

 spotted with lavender grey and reddish-brown (see British Bird Egg 

 Cabinet, drawer 4). Two broods are reared in a season, the first, 

 hatched from eggs laid early in May, is fully fledged by the end of June, 

 and the second by September. The young birds which are shown in 

 the upper rafters under the tiles in the case, are part of the first brood 

 and are occasionally fed by the parents while engaged in incubating the 

 second set of eggs. 



Case 154. 



SAND-MARTIN (Cotile riparia). 



One of our earliest spring visitors, arriving towards the end of 

 March and departing by the end of September. It abounds wherever 

 suitable nesting sites occur, i.e., the steep banks of rivers or lakes, 

 sand-pits, gravel cpiarries or railway cuttings. In such situations 

 tunnels varying from eighteen inches to six feet in length are bored by 

 the birds, the nest, of dried grass, lined with feathers, being placed in an 

 enlarged chamber at the end. Four to six white eggs (see British Bird 

 Egg Cabinet, drawer 4) are laid in the middle of May, and two broods 

 are usually reared in a season. 



Case 155. 



SWIFT {Cypselus apus). 



The Swift arrives in the British Islands towards the end of April 

 and remains till the end of August, when the majority depart south- 

 wards to their winter quarters, though individuals sometimes remain 

 till much later in the year. The flight of the bird is very rapid, and the 

 food, consisting entirely of insects, is taken on the wing. It is interest- 

 ing to note that all four toes are directed forward, forming a four-tined 

 grapple. They differ in this respect to the Martin and Swallow. 

 The nest is placed under the eaves of buildings, in crevices of cliffs, 

 and, when available, in the crannies of the walls of old ruins (as here 

 shown). The nest is a somewhat flimsy structure of straws, cobwebs, 

 and a few feathers. Two oval white eggs (see British Bird Egg Cabinet, 

 drawer 6) are laid in the end of May or early in June, and iticubation 

 lasts for eighteen days. Only one brood, as a rule, is produced in a 

 season. 



