The Zoologist — December, 1873. 3789 



attention to them. Each pair of birds has had two broods. Yes- 

 terday morning they were at their nests as usual, but there was 

 such a fighting and spluttering I guessed there was something 

 unusual going on; for a long time the old birds kept driving the young 

 ones away from the nests. About eight o'clock in the morning 

 most of the chimney-pots in this part were covered with both 

 martins and swallows ; I watched with a glass from the top of ray 

 building, and messengers seemed to be sent from each department 

 all round, holding a short conversation with each company : but 

 they did not leave for good, as the morning was foggy, and it did 

 not clear up nicely, but the fog hung about all day, with a slight sun- 

 shine occasionally. The next morning came bright and clear, with a 

 north wind, rather inclining to the east; both martins and swallows 

 were early at work paying hasty visits all round : I got on the top 

 of the house with my glass, and I could clearly see about fifty 

 chimney-pots with martins and swallows on them, and also a great 

 number on the telegraph-wires. By eleven o'clock in the day not 

 a martin or swallow was to be seen, and I have only seen two 

 straggling house martins since, and they appeared weak and sickly. 

 I must remark one thing in particular, not a sand martin could I 

 see among the lot, although there are so many breed in the neigh- 

 bourhood, but it is and has been my opinion that this species 

 leaves earlier. I look rather particular notice of the departure of 

 the swifts, and the sand martins left soon after; I wished them all 

 a safe journey and a happy return. 



October, 1873. 



9th. This morning was very mild and muggy, with a westerly 

 wind, no sun. About a quarter before seven o'clock I observed 

 close to the church, on the telegraph-wires, two old swallows and 

 five young ones; they appeared to be very comfortable. I noticed 

 that the tails of the young ones were very short, which showed they 

 had not long been out of the nest. 



13th. This morning at seven o'clock, the weather being tolerably 

 warm, although the wind was nearly north, I saw, in just the same 

 spot as the above twenty-four house martins, all perched on the 

 telegraph-wires, pluming themselves, ready for a start I supposed : 

 T went by the same spot half an hour after, and they were still 

 there, but getting very noisy, as the sun was just breaking through 

 the clouds. 



SECOND series — VOL. VIII. 8 M 



