354 The Natural History of Se I borne 



explore the shrubs and cavities of the suspected spot. The 

 persons took pains, but without any success ; however, a 

 remarkable incident occurred in the midst of our pursuit ; 

 while the labourers were at work, a house- martin, the first 

 that had been seen this year, came down the village in the 

 sight of several people, and went at once into a nest, where 

 it stayed a short time, and then flew over the houses ; for 

 some days after no martins were observed, not till the i6th of 

 April, and then only a pair. Martins in general were re- 

 markably late this year. 



