256 HIRUNDINIDJE. 



relatively-diminished powers of flight require longer time 

 to perform the distance. Like the Swallow, the Martin 

 also endeavours to establish itself about the habitations of 

 man. The opinion entertained by many that they are 

 birds of good omen, with which it would at least be 

 unlucky, if not improper, to interfere, and the degree of 

 confidence exhibited by the birds themselves, in their 

 choice of situation, seem to have induced a general pre- 

 possession in their favour, which their innocent and useful 

 lives fully entitle them to enjoy. The habits of the 

 Martin, in many instances, closely resemble those of the 

 Swallow. That they return to the places, and even to 

 the nests, which they inhabited during previous seasons, has 

 been frequently stated, and there appears to be no reason 

 to doubt it. Gilbert "White, in that part of his Journal 

 published in the second series of Gleanings in Natural 

 History, says, "July 6th, 1783. Some young Martins 

 came out of the nest over the garden door. This nest was 

 built in 1777, and has been used ever since." Their nests, 

 as every one has seen, are fixed under the eaves of houses, 

 or in the upper angles of windows, and hence its name of 

 House Martin, and Window Martin. While the building 

 of their nests is in progress, these birds are frequently to be 

 seen on the ground in damp places, collecting the mud or 

 clay of which the outside of the nest is composed. M. 

 Vieillot says they select worm casts for this purpose. The 

 earth probably becomes still further moistened with a 

 portion of saliva from the bird, by which its tenacity is 

 increased. White remarks, " A Martin has built its nest 

 against the glass of a window. It seems to stick firmly, 

 and has no other support." The hemispheric form of the 

 nest, when finished, is well known : while in progress, a 

 single layer only of soft earth is laid on along the whole 

 line, day after day, which is thus allowed to become hard 



