MARTIN 



HOUSE MARTIN MARTIN WINDOW SWALLOW 



PLATE LXIIL FIGURE I. 



Hirundo urbica t . . . PENNANT. MONTAGU. 

 Chelidon urbica, . . . NEWTON. 



THE nest of the Martin, which is about six inches in 

 width, and about half an inch thick above and an 

 inch below, is generally built under the eaves of a house, 

 or the corner of a window, or the arch of a bridge or 

 gateway, but also frequently on the sides of cliffs. Two 

 were built on the bough of an elm over a pond at Leasing - 

 ham Hall, near Sleaford, Mrs. Fielden's place, in 1881. 

 Of these I heard from the Rev. A. Myers, Rector of 

 Ruskington, who saw them himself. It is of a hemispheric 

 form, closed all round except a small entrance, usually on 

 the most sheltered side, and just large enough for the 

 entrance of the birds, and is lined inside with a little hay 

 or grass and feathers. The interior is smooth, the outside 

 rough. 



The eggs are four or five in number, smooth and white, 

 or pink white. Professor Thieneman figures one remark- 

 able variety which is dotted over with small distinct pale 

 yellowish red spots. They vary in size and shade. Incuba- 

 tion lasts twelve or thirteen days. At first the parent birds 



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