84 AN EAST COAST NATURALIST 



couple of Starlings that were busily scrambling and 

 fluttering up and down some boarded pilings, against 

 which wherries moor to discharge cargoes of marl, 

 gravel, and flints. By carefully getting into close 

 proximity to the industrious birds, I could see that 

 they were having a right royal time amongst the 

 variously sized sea-slaters (Ligia oceanica) that were 

 sunning themselves on the warm, dry timbers. 

 Equally fond of armadillos (Armadillidium vulgar e\ 

 locally known as " sows," and their kindred, it used 

 to be a frequent thing to see the Starling grubbing 

 about at the foot of gravestones, in the old church- 

 yard, pulling the grass away, indeed, in order to get 

 at them. I noticed this when a mere lad, as I 

 myself always found these spots afforded very 

 comfortable shelter from the sun and weather for 

 snails and other vermin loved of my birds. 



THE HOUSE-MARTIN 



Of late years, from two obvious reasons, that 

 delightful little bird, the House-Martin, has become 

 exceedingly scarce within the town precincts. Time 

 was when its constant flitting to and fro was one of 

 the common sights in our hot, dusty streets, its merry 



