68 



different, tliat I cannot help thinking them not quite so 

 nseful. 



The immense flocks of these birds which arrive at Marl- 

 borough separate into pairs and take up their residence in 

 buildings and similar j)laces. For a month before their 

 departure they generally roost in the withy beds near the 

 Kennet. 



This habit of retiring to the neighbourhood of water just 

 hefore their departure, must have given rise to the tradition 

 that they buried themselves under water during the 

 winter. 



A pure white variety of the Swallow was shot at Rams- 

 bury in the summer of 1868, and was stuffed by a 

 game-keeper, named Rushen, in whose hands I saw it. 



The following are the dates of the last observance of the 

 ^S wallow : — • 



Left Marlborough, September 27th ; occasional birds 

 seen October 1st, 21st, 26th, and 28th ; November 9th, and 

 December 3rd, 1865. 



Seen October 31st, 1866. Seen November 16th, 1867. 



Young Swallows (in nest), first week in September. 



Seen Oct. 18th, Nov. 1st, 4th, 1869. 



Hirundo urbica. 



Martin. 



LOCAL NAME. FIRST SEEN. EGG OBSERVED. 



House Martin. May 5th, 1866. June 11th, 1866. 



April 21st, 1868. 

 April 11th, 1869. 



1870. 



