HIRUNDINID.E. Ill 



Swallow). The nest, as our readers are aware, is externally 

 composed of mud, rendered more adhesive by the admixture 

 of small pieces of straw ; the shell thus formed is lined suc- 

 cessively with dry grasses and feathers. The nests are 

 usually seen grouped together, sometimes in considerable 

 numbers. Along the coasts of our island, in certain locali- 

 ties, numbers of these nests appear in suitable situations, 

 attached to the surface of the cliffs ; and such positions may 

 probably be considered the natural breeding stations of 

 these birds. The eggs are four or five in number, and pure 

 white. (PL IX. fig. 64.) 



THE SAND MARTIN. Himndo riparia. This is one of 

 our earliest spring visitors, reaching our shores often in 

 March. As the name indicates, sandbanks, or the banks 

 of rivers, if easily pierced, are selected by the birds for 

 breeding in ; where, having penetrated by dint of labour, 

 sometimes to the depth of eighteen inches, or even more, 

 they construct a nest of dry grass, lined with feathers, upon 

 which the eggs, four or five in number, and spotless white, 

 are deposited. (PL IX. fig. 63.) 



THE PURPLE MARTIN. Hirundopurpurea. Three spe- 

 cimens of this bird are mentioned by Mr. Yarrell as having 

 been obtained in the British Islands. In the States of 



