238 THE BIRDS OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 



species. The Martin generally remains with us a 

 good deal later than the Swallow, in fact it is by no 

 means unusual for a few of the former to linger with 

 us till nearly the end of November. We are inclined 

 to think that the Martin generally lays three suc- 

 cessive clutches of eggs, but the young of the third 

 brood are seldom successfully reared, and many 

 unhatched eggs may be generally found on exa- 

 mining a row of Martins' nests in the winter months. 

 This species is a common summer visitor to all parts 

 of Europe ; its winter resort appears not to be satis- 

 factorily ascertained. 



103. SAND-MARTIN. 



Ilirundo riparia. 



The Sand-Martin, though by no means rare in our 

 district, is very much less abundant than either of 

 the two species last mentioned, and we are only 

 acquainted with two nesting-localities within a con- 

 siderable radius from Lilford. This may of course be 

 accounted for by the general character of our soil, 

 which in very few spots admits the mining-operations 

 of this species. These birds are the earliest of the 

 Hirundines to arrive in our country, but do not, from 

 our own experience, put in an apj)earance in our 

 neighbourhood till the Swallow and Martin have 

 been with us for some days. The present species is, 

 except at some of its breeding-stations, seldom to be 

 seen far from water, and certainly seems especially to 

 affect rivers and streams in preference to lakes and 

 ponds. The Sand-Martin may be distinguished from 

 its British congeners when on wing, at a great 



