THE COMMON MARTIN. 



Martin is not, however, in all cases to be relied on. 

 If it can once get loose, it will generally make its 

 escape. 



A Martin, taken very young, was reared by M. 

 de Buffon. It was easily tamed, but appeared in- 

 capable of attachment, and continued to retain so 

 much of its wild disposition, that it was never 

 suffered to go at large. It, however, contrived 

 several times to slip its body from the belt by 

 which it was held. The first time it ran to a little 

 distance from the house, and in the course of a 

 few hours returned, but without exhibiting the 

 slightest tokens of joy or affection to any one. 

 Being hungry, it made its usual whining noise 

 for food. Its excursions became afterwards, by 

 degrees, more long; and at last it disappeared 

 altogether. It was then a year and a half old, and 

 had every appearance of being at full growth*. 



With the exception of vegetables, no kind of 

 food came amiss to this animal. It was very fond 

 of honey ; and preferred hempseed to any other 

 grain that was offered. It drank frequently. It 

 slept sometimes for two days without intermission; 

 but at other times, on the contrary, would keep 

 entirely awake for that or a longer period. Before 



* From this circumstance, M. de Buffon was led to conjecture, 

 that the Jives of these animals seldom exceeded the term of ten or 

 twelve years. 



it 



