BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



219 



Eggs. Four or five, rarely six ; white and un- 

 spotted, the yolk giving them a slight pinky tinge 

 before they are blown. One or two observers have 

 recorded in the Field the finding of rust-red spotted 

 specimens ; but I have never met with a single egg 

 showing any inclination in this direction out of 

 many scores of nests examined. Size about .8 by 

 .52 in. 



Time. May, June, July, August, and even as 

 late as September. 



Remarks. Migratory, arriving in April and 

 leaving in September and October ; although indi- 

 viduals are frequently reported in November and 

 even December. Notes : call, something like spitz, 

 but very difficult to represent. Local and other 

 names : Window Martin, Window Swallow, Eave 

 Swallow, Martlet. Gregarious, as a rule. Sits 

 closely. 



MARTIN, HOUSE. See MARTIN. 



MARTIN, SAND. 



(Coti'le rzparla.) 

 Order PASSERES ; Family HIRUNDINID^: (SWALLOWS). 



Description of Parent Birds. 

 Length about four and 

 three-quarters to five inches. 

 Bill short, slightly turned 

 down at the tip, and brown- 

 ish black. Irides hazel. 

 Head, back of neck, and 

 all upper parts, including 

 wings and tail, brownish- 

 black or mouse - colour. 



SAND MARTIN. 



