282 HIRUNDINID^E. 



that a majority of the colonies planted within the last 

 twenty years overlook, not the silent highway of the river, 

 but the unromantic parallel bars of iron which have 

 enabled man to vie almost with the Swallow in rapidity of 

 flight. The word colonies is applicable to few British birds 

 besides the Sand Martin. Others of the tribe not un- 

 frequently construct their nests in close proximity with 

 each other, and, when thus associated, are most neigh- 

 bourly hunting in society, sporting together, and making 

 common cause against an intrusive Hawk ; but still this is 

 no more than a fortuitous coming together. 



It so happens that a certain district offers good hunting 

 ground, and the eaves or windows of a certain house are 

 peculiarly well adapted for sheltering nests ; so a number of 

 Window-Martins, not having taken counsel together, but 

 guided each by independent choice, find themselves 

 established sometimes so close together that their nests 

 have party walls, like the houses in a street. They, ac- 

 cordingly, make acquaintances, and are sociable to a limited 

 extent. But Sand Martins go beyond this, they are 

 comrades banded together by municipal laws, which no 

 doubt they understand and obey, inhabiting dwellings 

 which constitute a joint settlement, returning without fail 

 to the familiar haunt after every annual migration, or if 

 they desert a station, leaving no stragglers behind, and 

 pitching their camp anew in some locality which common 

 consent has pronounced to be an eligible one. They are 

 not, however, exclusive. in their fraternization; as they 

 hunt in society with their relatives the Swifts and Swal- 

 lows, and even accompany them in distant flights. I have 

 repeatedly observed Sand Martins flying about with others 

 of the same tribe many miles away from their homes. 

 They may readily be distinguished, as I have stated before, 

 by their dingy mouse-coloured hue, smaller size, and less 

 forked tails. I have never had an opportunity of watching 

 a colony engaged in their mining operations at the busy 



