SWALLOW AND HOUSE-MARTIN 



SWALLOW AND HOUSEMARTIN 

 [F. B. KIKKMAN] 



I 



If its longer wings and body, more graceful flight and quicker 

 movements, were not sutlirient to distinguish the swallow from the 

 house-mart in, it would still be imjx>ssible to confuse the two species, 

 for the latter bears on the lower jrt of the back, just above the root 

 of the tail, a broad white patch which is visible from afar. As the 

 house-martin recedes before one into the distance, it becomes just a 

 spot of white and nothing more, unless its course be over the unruffled 

 surface of a lake or river : then there are two white spots to be seen, 

 one speeding through the air, and beneath it another, the reflection of 

 the bird's under parts, speeding through the water twin stars that 

 vanish imperceptibly. The house-martin may further be distinguished 

 from the swallow by the covering of small soft white feathers upon its 

 legs and toes. These look like little white trousers and gaiters, and 

 are best admired when the bird is on the ground, where it walks 

 delicately, as if picking its way through mud. 



Of the two species, the swallow is the first to arrive in the spring 

 and leaves us later in the autumn. The " first swallows " may be seen 

 in March, but the great immigration of both species takes place 

 during April and first half of May, the birds arriving in successive 

 flocks along the south coast, and spreading thence throughout the 

 United Kingdom. These, again, are followed by other flocks, which 

 pass over the eastern side of Great Britain on their way to Northern 

 and probably also Central Europe. 1 



From the time of their arrival onward, both species pass nearly 

 the whole day in the air. Though they frequently glide on out- 

 stretched motionless wings, the repeated twists and turns they make 



1 For a detailed account of the migration of the swallow and hoiue-martin, nee the 



