HTKUXDIMD^. 59 



under the eaves of houses in Exeter, where they are rauch more numerous 

 than the Swallows. They also breed on the sea-cliffs, as at Beer, Teign- 

 mouth, Berry Head, and Wembury Cliffs at the mouth of the Yealm. 

 (J. G., ZooL 1872, p. 3168.) 



\Yhite specimens are not uncommon. One from Col. Montagu's col- 

 lection was in the possession of the late Bev. J. Hellius, who himself once 

 saw one. Another occurred at Seaton. There is a Martin with white 

 quill-feathers from Mr. Ross's collection in the A. M. M. A white Martin 

 was observed for several days flying over the Torridge, near Torriugton, 

 in the last week of August 187(3. (G. P. M., Zool. 1876, p. 5165.) 



To us there are few more pleasant sounds than the soft crooning of the 

 Martins to their young, heard through the bedroom window some bright 

 summer's morning. Although usually content with gnats, and " such 

 small deer," the Martin is prepared to avail itself when chance offers of 

 larger game. Great was our indignation and astonishment one day when 

 entomologizing by the river side to see a fine crimson under-wing moth 

 seized by a House-Martin, as we flushed it from its roost on a pollard 

 willow, the bird appearing smaller than its prey as it carried it off! 



House-Martins do not seek such distant winter-quarters as the Swallows, 

 but are content with 1^. Africa, Egypt, Palestine, &c. 



Sand-Martin. Cotile rijjaria (Linn.). 



[Bank-Martin.] 



A summer migrant, very abundant though local. Breeds. 



The Sand-Martin is the smallest of the Swallow family visiting this 

 country, and the first to arrive. It breeds in large colonies in holes in the 

 sides of sand-pits ; river-banks ; cliffs of the South Coast, where the geo- 

 logical formation is suitable to its habits ; old quarries ; and in chinks 

 in old walls, especially the masonry of old bridges. AVhen the ground is 

 soft the birds burrow horizontally to a distance of three or four feet, their 

 holes being about the size of mouse-holes. These Sand-Martin burrows 

 are said to abound with fleas, but we cannot remember to have come 

 across anj- in the numbers we have examined. Both the old and young 

 Sand-Martins when on the wing look as if they had collars round their 

 throats. 



This species is sometimes seen as early as the middle of March. In 1850 we saw 

 two ar.d shot one on March 18th (W. D'U., Zool. 18.)(;, p. .WJS; Newton, ' Yarroll's 

 B. Birds,' 4th cd. ii. ]). 'i'lO). "Brown-backed Martins " were seen on March Kith, 

 1844, near Topshani (R W. L. R., MS. iv. p. \><'.)). The Rev. Tlio.nas Jolnies says :— 

 "Sand-Martins build on the Tamar in great numbers; 1 have seen them on the river 

 Gary in tiie early part of March " (Bray's ' Taniar and Tavy,' 1st od. i. p. 3.'il ). " They 

 build in the sandy headlands at Thiirkst(jne C'liirM. near Kingsbridge ' (K. M., Trans. 

 riym. Inst. 18:30. p. ."KW). At Bantham (R. P. >'., M.S. ^otes). " Tiiey breed in 

 small parties on the banks of the River J']rme below JOrmington ; on the Meavy near 

 R'iborou(;h Down; and Borough Island at the mouth of the Ypaliu'' (R. A. J., 

 ' Natiiralii't,' l''^.'»l. )■). Hli). Other breeding-places are the Red-Saudstoiie Clill's east of 

 Dawlisli ; the Sand-pit at St. Mary's C'list, near Exeter; and on Lundy Inland. The 

 Sand-Martiu is very numerous in North Devon, breeding iu all suitable localities. 



