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MARTIN. 



HOUSE MARTIN. MARTIN SWALLOW. WINDOW SWALLOW. 

 PLATE LXIII. PIG. I. 



Hirundo urbica, PENNANT. MONTAGU. 



THE nest of the Martin, which is generally built under the eaves of 

 a house, but also frequently on the side of a cliff, is of an hemispheric 

 form, and is lined inside with a little hay or feathers. 



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

 lasts thirteen days. 



The same nest is resorted to from year to year. Thus, the Rev. 

 Gilbert White says: ' July 6th., 1783, some young Martins came out 

 of the nest over the garden door. This nest was built in 1777, and 

 has been used ever since/ The young birds of one year often add 

 another the following to 'The Row' of nests which ornament the eaves 

 where their parents have built; and sometimes the birds will form a 

 continuous line of the mud they build with along the wall, without any 

 apparent or discernible motive, for there it remains without any use 

 being made of it. The mud they use in building is tempered and 

 cemented in some way or other, for it will adhere firmly to glass. 



VOL. I. 



