8 



Martins nested in the banks of an island in the 

 Lyon, where I had observed them the previous 

 year. We were, however, visited by a very high 

 flood in June, which completely covered the whole 

 of the island, and caused considerable damage in 

 the district by sweeping away both cattle and 

 sheep. 



I well remember landing, with a cast of the 

 phantom minnow, the carcase of a fine ram, which 

 was coming down the river with the first of the 

 spate as I was returning from fishing. 



The specimens in the case were obtained in 

 Norfolk, in May, 1870. 



HOUSE MAETIN. (MATURE). 

 Case 11. 



To by far the greater number of the British 

 public, Swallows, Swifts and Martins are generally 

 known by the name of Swallows. 



Those, however, who take an interest in our 

 small visitors may easily distinguish the little bird 

 with blue-black plumage and broad white bar 

 across the tail, and remember that scientific 

 naturalists have bestowed on the tiny traveller the 

 euphonious title of "Hirundo Urbica," while to 

 humbler observers like ourselves it is simply 

 known as the House Martin. 



Most people welcome the arrival of these 

 familiar visitors, and afford them protection when 

 nesting under the eaves of their houses. They will, 

 however, when taking a fancy to the corner of a 

 window-frame, occasionally become a most per- 

 severing nuisance, insisting to fix their nursery, 

 with all its accompanying dirt, to the glass of the 

 window, even after receiving several forcible hints 

 that the situation is unsuitable. 



Like all the rest of the family, they are not 

 only perfectly harmless to gardeners and farmers, 



