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gularly wary, is commonly seen near the habitations 

 of man. These birds are usually observed in pairs, 

 and continue together the whole year. In winter 

 they often assemble in numbers at night to roost 

 in particular districts, but separate again during 

 the day. Their nest, which is generally con- 

 structed in trees or bushes, arid is of large dimen- 

 sions for the bird, is outwardly composed of sticks, 

 lined with a thick plastering of clay, on which is 

 disposed a soft bed of the small fibres of roots and 

 dry grass, covered over or arched, and with an 

 aperture on one side. The eggs, which vary in 

 number from four to eight, are of a yellowish grey 

 colour, speckled with yellow brown spots, varying 

 in their tints. Being very destructive to eggs and 

 young birds, the Magpie is much persecuted. 



MARTIN, COMMON, OR HOUSE MARTIN. 



HlEUNDO TJEBICA, Lin. 



The first appearance of the Martin is a few 

 days after that of the Swallows, and it departs 

 about the same time. It seems to commence its 

 northern migration in Africa, and even to cross 

 the Mediterranean with the Swallow, but its power 

 of flight requires longer time to perform the dis- 

 tance. On its first arrival it is usually seen in such 

 warm and low situations as are most likely to fur- 



