BRITISH BIRDS. 307 



THE SAND MARTIN. 



BANK MARTIN, OR SAND SWALLOW. 



(Hirundo Riparia, Linn. Hirondelle de rivagc, 

 Temm.) 



LENGTH about four inches and three-quarters. 

 Bill dark horn colour ; head, neck, breast, and 

 back mouse colour ; over each eye is a light 

 streak ; throat and fore part of the neck white, 

 as are the belly and vent; wings and tail brown; 

 feet smooth and dark brown. 



This is the smallest, as well as the least nu- 

 merous of our Swallows. It frequents the steep 

 sandy banks of rivers, in the sides of which it 

 makes deep holes, and places the nest at the end; 

 it is carelessly constructed of straw, dry grass, 

 and feathers ; the female lays five or six white 

 eggs, almost transparent, and is said to have 

 only one brood in the year. 



