The Story of the Sand-Martins 



THEY are the first of the swallows to visit us in the 

 spring-time, these dusky little sand-martins, and the 

 first to leave us. During their brief stay they are not 

 seen very much, since they nest in solitary places, in 

 cliffs and sand-pits, and haunt rivers and large lakes. 



That they should tunnel holes in hard sand-banks 

 is certainly wonderful, considering their slight appear- 

 ance. 



Their work is more wonderful when one observes 

 that they do not peck with their bills, as a woodpecker 

 drives a hole in a tree, or as a man works with a pick- 

 axe, but diligently make the hole by taking out 

 minute particles of sand, working with incredible 

 speed until, particle by particle, they remove the 

 sand, and have gone far enough with their tunnel to 

 make the enlargement at the end for the nest-chamber. 



The cock as well as the hen engages in the arduous 

 work. 



We are glad to think that when a suitable hole has 

 been tunnelled, unless it should fall in it may be used 

 by the industrious birds for several seasons. 



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