210 BIRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



the entrance of their breeding holes to seize the first straggling 

 young that should make its appearance." In one respect the 

 American Sand Martin differs from the European, namely, in the 

 selection of materials for nest-building. Wilson's account is that 

 the nests are constructed of fine dry grass, with a few large downy 

 feathers; but in most parts of Scotland, so far as I have observed, 

 the structure is composed of the coarse and hard stems of common 

 grass wrack gathered from the fields, and lined, in many cases, with 

 the curved and stiff wing and tail feathers of the domestic duck 

 or the lapwing. The birds appear to be much infested by fleas, 

 and I have sometimes thought that these hard beds, which often 

 caused me to wonder why the eggs were not frequently broken, 

 were less likely to encourage the unwelcome parasites, than a bed 

 of down. 



THE COMMON SWIFT. 



CYPSELUS A PUS. 

 Gobhlan dubh. 



DURING its three months' residence in Scotland, the Swift is very 

 commonly distributed in the western mainland, but is rare on the 

 inner islands, and totally wanting in the Outer Hebrides. Mr 

 Graham informs me that a pair of these birds have bred for some 

 years in a hole in the ruined tower of lona Cathedral, but I am un- 

 able to give any other instance of their nesting on the inner islands. 



This species seems partial to old towers and ruined castles, which 

 are so numerously scattered over the western counties, and I have 

 observed that in many instances where these remains of ancient 

 strongholds are far removed from towns or villages, the Swifts are 

 quite as numerous as they appear to be when located in populous 

 districts. 



In the months of July and August, 1868, 1 observed this bird to 

 be unusually abundant in Wigtownshire. During the prevalent heat 

 of that season, many hundreds, if not thousands, might have been 

 seen hawking for prey above the village of Glenluce, attracting the 

 notice of even unobservant people by their extraordinary numbers. 



I have seen Swifts adroitly catching feathers and straws when 

 on wing, and carrying them to their holes under the eaves of a 

 slated house. In some towns they build chiefly in such situations. 



