118 



MARTIN. 



HOUSE MARTIN. MARTIN SWALLOW. WINDOW SWALLOW. 



PLATE LXIII. FIG. I. 



JELirundio urhica, . . . Pennant. Montagtj. 



The nest of the Martin, wliicli is generally built 

 under the eaves of a house, but also frequently on the 

 side of a cliff, is of an hemispheric form, and is lined 

 inside with a little hay or feathers. 



The eggs are four or five in number, smooth and 

 white. Incubation lasts thirteen days. 



The same nest is resorted to from year to year. 

 Thus, the Kev. Gilbert White says: — ''July 6th., 1783, 

 some young Martins came out of the nest over the 

 garden door. This nest was built in 1777, and has 

 being used ever since." The young birds of one year 

 often add another the following to "The How" of nests 

 which ornament the eaves where their parents have 

 built; and sometimes the birds will form a continuous 

 line of the mud they build with along the wall, without 

 any apparent or discernible motive, for there it remains 

 without any use being made of it. The mud they use 

 in building is tempered and cemented in some way or 

 other, for it will adhere firmly to glass. 



