f Py + 
| ‘ - SWIFT. : 101 
141. SAND MARTIN—(Hirundo riparia). 
Bank Martin, Pit Martin, Sand Swallow, Bank Swallow, River 
Swallow.—This delicate little visitor comes to us in the spring, 
often very early, from Africa, as do also the two others of the 
genus just named. Where it does occur—and it is generally 
diffused—it is often seen in very large numbers. A Ballast Pit at 
* Fingrinchoe, in Essex, is occupied by the most numerous colony 
I am acquainted with; and a site afforded by the surface beds of 
sand and soil above a steep scarp of rock on Tweed-bank, nearly 
opposite Norham Castle, used to accommodate another colony. 
Some of the holes are bored toa very great depth. I haveenlarged » 
the orifice of many till it would admit my whole shoulder, and have 
then been unable to reach the termination of the gallery. Others 
are much shorter, and admitting of more easy access to the nest. 
The female will, notwithstanding the noise and violence attending 
the enlargement of the aperture of her nest-hole, sit resolutely 
on, and allow herself to be taken in the hand with scarcely a 
struggle or sign of resistance—even of life, sometimes. One I 
took thus a year or two since lay in my open hand for a minute or 
more, and then at last flew only leisurely away. A little loose, 
soft straw, with some feathers, serves to receive the eggs, which 
are four to six in number, often much elongated in shape, of the 
most delicate white, and beautifully pink, from the thinness of the 
shell, before they are blown. 
142. PURPLE MARTIN—(Hirundo purpurea). 
American Purple Martin.—Only a very casual visitor. 
143. SWIFT—(Cypselus apus). 
Deviling, Black Martin, Screech, Screech Martin, Shriek Owl 
Screamer, Squeaker, Skeer or Skir-devil, Cran.—I should think no 
one who has once seen this bird on the wing, and noticed its rapid, 
