MARTIN. 



form the distance. Like the Swallow, the Martin also endea- 

 vours to establish itself about the habitations of man. The 

 opinion entertained by many that they are birds of good 

 omen, with which it would at least be unlucky, if not improper, 

 to interfere, and the degree of confidence exhibited by the 

 birds themselves, in their choice of situation, seem to have 

 induced a general prepossession in their favour, which their 

 innocent and useful lives fully entitle them to enjoy. The 

 habits of the Martin, in many instances, closely resemble 

 those of the Swallow. That they return to the places, and 

 even to the nests, which they inhabited during previous sea- 

 sons has been frequently stated, and there appears to be no 

 reason to doubt it. Gilbert White, in that part of his Jour- 

 nal published in the second scries of Gleanings in Natural 

 History, says, " July 6th, 1783. — Some young Martins 

 came out of the nest over the garden door. This nest was 

 built in 1777, and has been used ever since." Their nests, 

 as every one has seen, are fixed under the eaves of houses, or 

 in the upper angles of windows, and hence its name of House 

 Martin, and Window Martin. While the building of their 

 nests is in progress, these birds are frequently to be seen on 

 the ground in damp places, collecting the mud or clay of 

 which the outside of the nest is composed. M. Vieillot says 

 they select worm casts for this purpose. The earth probably 

 becomes still further moistened with a portion of saliva from 

 the bird, by which its tenacity is increased. White remarks 

 " A Martin has built its nest against the glass of a window. 

 It seems to stick firmly, and has no other support." The 

 hemispheric form of the nest, when finished, is well known : 

 while in progress, a single layer only of soft earth is laid on 

 along the whole line, day after day, which is thus allowed to 

 become hard before additional weight is superadded. When 

 the external circular wall is finished, the cavity within is lined 

 with a few bents of hay and some soft feathers, and the nest 



