34 STRANGE DWELLINGS. 



untenanted, its form is almost cylindrical. In all cases the 

 tunnel slopes gently upwards, so as to prevent the lodgement 

 of rain, and its depth is exceedingly variable. About two feet 

 and a half is a fair average length. Generally, the direction of 

 the burrow is quite straight, but sometimes it takes a curve, 

 where an obstacle, such as a stone or a root has interrupted the 

 progress of the bird. Should the stone be a large one, the 

 Sand Martin usually abandons the burrow, and resumes its 

 labours elsewhere, and in a piece of hard sandstone rock many 

 of these incomplete excavations may be seen. 



At the furthest extremity of the burrow, which is always 

 rather larger than the shaft, is placed the nest — a very simple 

 structure, being a little more than a mass of dry herbage and 

 soft feathers, pressed together by the weight of the bird's body. 

 Upon this primitive nest are laid the eggs, which are very small, 

 and of a dehcate pinky whiteness. 



Few foes can work harm to the Sand Martin, during the task 

 of incubation. Rats would find the soft sandy soil crumble 

 away from their grasp ; and even the lithe weasel would expe- 

 rience some difficulty in gaining admission to the nest. After 

 the young Sand Martins are hatched, many foes are on the 

 watch for them. The magpie and crow wait about the entrance 

 of the holes, in order to snap up the inexperienced birds while 

 making their first essay at flight ; and the kestrel and sparrow- 

 hawk come sweeping suddenly among them, and carry off some 

 helpless victim in their talons. 



Man is perhaps the worst foe of the Sand Martin, for there 

 is a mixture of adventure and danger in taking the eggs, which 

 is irresistible to the British schoolboy. 



Fortunately for the Sand Martins, many of their nests are 

 placed in situations which no boy can reach, and there are 

 happily some instances where the services which they render 

 to mankind are properly appreciated. Mr. C. Simeon, in his 

 * Stray Notes on Fishing and Natural History,' gives an inter- 

 esting account of some Sand Martins which are thus gratefully 

 protected : — 



' Whilst waiting for the train one afternoon at Weybridge, 1 



