396 hirundinid^. 



What appears to me the most singular feature in this case is, 

 that the sparrow would remain in the nest, and allow itself to be 

 entombed alive. But this bird was sitting on the full complement 

 of eggs, probably in the last stage of incubation, at which period 

 we know that some birds leave the nest only to procure such a 

 scanty morsel as will barely support life. Occasionally, at such 

 times, they allow themselves to be lifted off their eggs, and when 

 placed on again, continue to sit as intently as if they had not 

 been disturbed. The filling up of the aperture is not in itself a 

 singular proceeding on the part of the martin ; * but on this 

 occasion, when the assistance of their neighbours was called in, 

 would almost seem to be intended as an act of retributive justice 

 on the sparrow. Their building against the side of the old nest 

 is quite a common occurrence. 



I have heard the call of tins species exerted, to the no little 

 annoyance of persons engaged in the cruel task of pulling down 

 their nests, when the sufferers become as vociferous as their 

 " weak voices " will permit, and thereby attract their* neigh- 

 bours from all quarters. These make common cause with them, 

 by endeavouring to deter the spoiler from his work of destruc- 

 tion, " occasionally flying boldly, and at the risk of their lives, 

 within reach of his outstretched hand , and again, with all the 

 eloquence they can master, seeming most piteously to claim the 

 edifice as theirs.'" t Martins are generally silent birds, but when 

 congregrated for migration, their call is often almost incessantly 

 uttered. 



* Mr. Blackwall, in his Researches in Zoology, states, that a pair of martins, on 

 returning in the spring to the nest of the preceding year, endeavoured to dislodge 

 the hodies of their young, which had been deserted ; but finding their efforts in vain, 

 " closed up the aperture with clay, thus converting the nest into a sepulchre." 



f Audubon (Ann. of Lye, vol. i. p. 165) mentions a similar trait in the history of 

 an American species, Hirundo fulva, in the following words : — " The energy with 

 which they defended their nests was truly astonishing. Although I had taken pre- 

 caution to visit their nests at sunset, when I had supposed they would all have been 

 on the sycamores, yet a single female happened to be sitting, and she gave the alarm, 

 which immediately called out the whole tribe. They snapped at my hat, my body, 

 and my legs, passed between me aud the nests within an inch of my face, twittering 

 their rage and sorrow. They continued their attacks as I descended, and accom- 

 panied me some distance." 



