168 SAND MARTIN. 



These are generally five in number, but, if one be taken 

 away every day, the bird, it is said, will successively lay 

 as many as eighteen or nineteen. Swallows feed on in- 

 sects only. 



The common Swallow is immediately distinguishable 

 from all the other English species, even in flight, by its 

 long and forked tail, and its body being dark-coloured 

 above, and whitish beneath. 



House Martin. In its general habits, the Martin re- 

 sembles the swallow, in almost every respect, except the 

 construction of its nest, which is generally formed under 

 the eaves of buildings. Its composition is of clay or 

 loam, tempered, and wrought together with little pieces 

 of straw or hay, so as to render it tenacious ; and it has 

 a small hole at the side, for entrance. The eggs are 

 white. These birds arrive in England about the 16th 

 of April, and usually leave us in the beginning of Octo- 

 ber. 



The tail of the Martin is by no means so long or 

 forked as that of the swallow ; and this bird is distin- 

 guishable on wing, by this circumstance, by the patch 

 of white on the lower part of its back, and its white 

 belly. 



Sand Martin. The nests of the Sand Martins are 

 formed at the bottom of deep holes, which they contrive 

 to dig in the perpendicular sides of sand-pits. The nest 

 itself is a simple structure, of hay, straw, and other strong 

 materials, and lined with feathers. The eggs are white, 

 and five or six in number. 



The body of the Sand Martin is of a brownish or 

 cinereous colour, and the chin and belly are white. The 

 throat is encircled with a mouse-coloured ring. 



