COMMON MARTIN*. H9 



as it came from some part of North America, 

 where the Martin does not occur. 



It is found throughout Europe and Asia, and is 

 much more abundant in England than the Swal- 

 lo\v, which generally arrives here about ten days 

 previous to this bird. On its first appearance it 

 affects low, warm situations, and, should the wea- 

 ther prove favourable, begins to build early in 

 May : its nest is often placed beneath the eaves of 

 houses, and it will sometimes commence in many 

 different places before it fixes upon a spot that suits 

 it : it will also build against rocks and cliffs by the 

 sea side : the nest is composed externally of mud 

 and straw, lined internally with goose feathers in 

 preference to any other, and has a small hole on 

 one side, near the top, for an entrance : it is no un- 

 common thing to observe both the old birds in the 

 nest during the period of incubation, and likewise 

 after the young are first hatched : their eggs are 

 pure white, and five in number the first brood, the 

 second they are three or four, and the third two 

 or three ; but it seldoms happens that they have 

 the latter brood, although they generally have 

 some unfledged young in their nests at Michael- 

 mas : during the time the young birds are confined 

 to the nest, the old ones feed them by adhering 

 to the outside of the nest ; but as soon as they are 

 able to fly, they receive their food on the wing, by 

 a quick and almost imperceptible motion : as soon 

 as the young can provide for themselves, the old 

 ones prepare for another brood. 



As the season advances, the flocks increase in 



