1 82 NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 



seen, the smallest known hirundo ; though Brisson asserts that 

 there is one much smaller, and that is the hirundo esculenta. 



But it is much to be regretted that it is scarce possible for any 

 observer to be so full and exact as he could wish in reciting the 

 circumstances attending the life and conversation of this little 

 bird, since it is fera natura, at least in this part of the kingdom, 

 disclaiming all domestic attachments, and haunting wild heaths 



THE SAND-MARTIN (Hirundo riparia). 



and commons where there are large lakes ; while the other 

 species, especially the swallow and house-martin, are remarkably 

 gentle and domesticated, and never seem to think themselves safe 

 but under the protection of man. 1 



Here are in this parish, in the sand-pits and banks of the lakes 

 of Wolmer forest, several colonies of these birds ; and yet they 

 are never seen in the village ; nor do they at all frequent the 



