SAND MARTIN 



BANK MARTIN. 



PLATE LXIII. FIGURE II. 



Hirundo riparia t . . . PENNANT. MONTAGU. 



THE nest of the Sand Martin, as indicated by its 

 name, is placed in the straight banks of rivers, cliffs 

 of the sea-shore, sand-pits, and such other like situations 

 as are sufficiently soft for the bird to perforate. 



The bird hollows out for itself a way to its intended 

 nesting-place to the depth of from two to three, and even 

 nearly four feet. The galleries slant upwards and are 

 larger at the ends. These "excavators" complete their 

 work, though they are such "feeble folk," in about a 

 fortnight. The same hole is resorted to from year to year, 

 or, if it has fallen away, another is hollowed out in the 

 same neighbourhood. The first eggs are laid late in May, 

 and a second brood is usually hatched and flying by the 

 middle of August. 



The eggs are from four to six in number, and white. 

 They are hatched after an incubation of twelve or thirteen 

 days. 



138 



