105 



" Swallows are easily distinguished from all other birds, 

 not only by their structure, but by their twittering voice 

 and manner of life, they fly with great rapidity, seldom 

 walk, and perform all their functions on the wing or sitting ; 

 they entirely subsist on insects, which they readily catch, 

 by means of their wide mouth, on the wing. Mr. White 

 informs us that for some weeks before the swallows depart, 

 they, without exception, forsake houses and chimneys, and 

 roost in trees. This takes place about the latter end of 

 September." 





2. RIPARIA. SAND MARTIN. 



H. murina, yula abdomineque albis. Shaw. 



The beak is dusky ; irides hazel ; plumage above 

 is mouse colour, beneath white ; the feet are black. 

 Length 5 inches. 



" The sand martin arrives in March; it is common 

 about the banks of rivers and sand-pits, where it digs itself 

 a round and regular hole in the sand or earth ; this is hori- 

 zontal, winding, and generally about two feet deep. At the 

 further end of this burrow the bird constructs its nest of 

 grass and feathers. The female lays from 4 to 6 white and 

 transparent eggs, and often has two broods in a year/' 

 See Mr. White's History rf Selborne, and Naturalist's 

 Calendar. 





