64 THE GRASSHOPPER WARBLER 



at the end of August. The food consists exclusively of insects 

 such as flies, gnats (including Daddy-Longlegs), winged aphides, 

 small moths, and beetles on the wing, some beetles and other insects 

 on the ground. According to a calculation made by a keen observer, 

 one bird captures 5,000 insects per day and consumes 765,000 in 

 the course of the summer. It is said that the house-sparrow drives 

 away the swallow from its nesting-place, but, though well authenti- 

 cated as occurring in some localities, has not come to our notice in 

 either town or country districts, yet places where swallows have 

 been accustomed to build are not infrequently occupied by sparrows, 

 they acting on the good old plan of " take who have the power and 

 keep who can " the whole law of nature. 



The HOUSE MARTIN (Chelidon or Cotile urbica) is of smaller size 

 than the Common Swallow, which is rather more than 8 in., that 

 of the former being about 5 in. in length. It arrives in this 

 country about the middle of April and departs by the middle of 

 October. The head and upper parts are coloured deep blue, the 

 wings and tail are black, and the upper tail coverts pure white, as 

 also are the under-parts. It builds its nest under the eaves of houses, 

 in the corners of windows, etc. : hemispherical, formed of mud and 

 lined inside with feathers, with a round opening for entrance. It 

 lays five eggs, pinkish-white with an almost imperceptible dotting 

 of red. About September immense numbers may be seen perched 

 upon houses and trees preparatory to their departure; the food 

 consists wholly of flies, gnats, and other insects. 



The SAND MARTIN (Cotile riparia) is the smallest of British 

 swallows, and usually is the first to arrive in Britain. It frequently 

 builds in sandpits or gravel pits with sand layers, boring holes three 

 feet or more in depth, and often winding in their course. Where a 

 convenient sand-bank or cliff exists, hundreds of these little birds 

 may be seen either working at their habitations or dashing about in 

 the air. The eggs are five, pinkish white with an almost imper- 

 ceptible spotting of red. The food is entirely insectivorous, chiefly 

 flies and gnats. 



The GRASSHOPPER WARBLER (Calamodyta locustella), a member 

 of the Dentirostral (tooth-billed) Insessores, family Lusinidae 

 (nightingale kind) and sub-family Luscininae, is of a greenish-brown 

 colour, the upper parts being pale brown. Its length is about 

 5 j in. It keeps so close to a hedge that it is difficult to catch a 

 glimpse of it, but the incessant cry, closely resembling a grass- 

 hopper, reveals its whereabouts. The nest is carefully concealed, 

 and composed of dried grass, etc. The eggs are from five to seven in 

 number, white speckled with red. The food consists of insects. 

 It arrives in Britain in April and departs in September. 



The SEDGE WARBLER (Calamodyta phragmitis) dives into reeds 

 and grasses when disturbed. Its colour is brown above and white 

 on the throat, the abdomen being of a buff colour. It frequents 



