i8 THE BIRDS OF OUR RAMBLES. 



indulge in stone-throwing mischief, let it be stated 

 that the Martins are rarely disturbed, even when 

 their nests are placed under the eaves of houses 

 by the side of the highway. The shell of their 

 nest is made of little bits of mud, built up in 

 layers, piece by piece, and obtained from the 

 puddles in the roads, or the banks of ponds and 

 rivers. A small hole at the top serves for the 

 entrance. This mud-formed nest is then lined 

 with dry grass and feathers, many of which are 

 snatched up when blown into the air, by the 

 Martins as they skim to and fro. The four or 

 five eggs are pure and spotless white. Any one 

 fortunate enough to have Martins' nests upon his 

 premises need never be at a loss for amusement 

 during the breeding season of these birds. They 

 are a constant source of interest, flitting to and 

 from their nests, and their lively twittering notes 

 are very pleasant to the ear. In early summer 

 the males are often heard to warble their short 

 yet varied song, often when sitting on a roof, less 

 frequently when flying up and down, 

 widely Almost as familiar as the Martin, the BARN 



SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica] is perhaps even more 

 of a favourite. It may always be known by its 

 steel-blue upper plumage and long acutely forked 

 tail. To the unorthodox both birds are known 

 indiscriminately as " Swallows," and are generally 

 alluded to as such. In its habits the Swallow 

 differs very little from its ally. Like that bird, its 

 province is the air. It is also a life-paired species, 

 and returns yearly to an old haunt ; it feeds on 

 insects, like the Martin ; it possesses the same 

 habit of warbling during flight, and is equally 

 gregarious. In the matter of its domestic arrange- 



