124 INSESSORES. HIRUNDO. MARTIN. 



seen in the nest together, in which place the act of consum- 

 'mation is performed. The eggs are five or six in number, of 

 a transparent or pinkish-white. The young are at first fed 

 in the nest., but afterwards at the orifice, the parent birds 

 adhering to the outside by the aid of their claws. When 

 able to fly, they are still fed on the wing for a considerable 

 time, like the Chimney Swallows. Two broods are com- 

 monly produced in the year, the first being able to fly in 

 July, the second in August or September, some time pre- 

 vious to their migration. About the beginning of October, 

 Martins congregate in vast numbers, frequently almost cover- 

 ing the roofs of houses, particularly in the villages upon the 

 banks of the Thames. Towards the middle of the month 

 they begin to depart, and continue to do so in flocks till about 

 the 6th or 8th of November, after which time few are seen ; 

 and these, in all probability, are weak birds, that find them- 

 selves incapable of undertaking the journey, and perish un- 

 der the first attack of the winter's severity. The form of 

 this species is thicker than the Chimney Swallow ; the wings 

 also and tail are shorter in proportion to the size of the body. 

 The flight of the Martin is very smooth and buoyant, but 

 not so rapid, or attended with such sudden evolutions, as the 

 preceding species. During the season of incubation, and 

 when both birds are in the nest, it frequently utters its song, 

 the notes of which, though guttural, are soft, and the ca- 

 dences are pleasing. According to TEMNINCK, the migra- 

 tion of the Martin does not extend beyond the Tropics. 



PLATE 42. Fig 2. Natural size. 



General Bill black. Head, back part of the neck, and upper part 



tion. nP " ^ t ^ ie back, glossy bluish-black. Wings and greater 



coverts brownish-black. Tail the same, and forked. 



Under parts and rump snow-white. Tarsi and toes 



clothed with downy white feathers. 



White varieties of this as well as the other species some- 

 times occur. 



