5 
It does not frequent cities or localities which are densely inhabited by man, but resorts to more 
lonely and sequestered spots, keeping, however, in view the nature of the soil, as there must 
always be a sand bank or some equally suitable place in the neighbourhood where it can 
burrow out its nest-hole. I have found Sand-Martins breeding in soft loam banks in large 
sand- and gravel-pits; and they are said to burrow their holes in clay banks, but they are 
most frequently met with on the banks of rivers, or anywhere along the water-side where 
suitable banks are found. ‘They are extremely social, and usually nest in large colonies, the 
nests being close to each other. I found a vast colony in the steep banks skirting the Lulea 
river, in Northern Sweden, and have seen large communities nesting in various parts of England 
and Scandinavia. It flies, like all its allies, with ease and grace, gliding along, wheeling sharply 
every now and then to catch a passing insect, now rising perpendicularly, now sweeping swiftly 
down wind, or curving along the face of the bank or cliff, and following the formation of the 
cliffs. They do not brook an intruder in their nesting-colonies, but join together and drive off all 
intruders, even Hawks, Crows, &c.; but occasionally a Sparrow takes possession of one of their 
nest-holes, and is able to maintain his position in spite of continuous efforts on the part of the 
Martins to dislodge him. ‘The Sand-Martin excavates its own nest-hole; and Mr. R. D. Duncan 
gives in Macgillivray’s ‘ British Birds,’ iii. p- 601, some excellent notes on the mode in which 
the hole is excavated, which I may transcribe as follows. “It is,” he says, “ extremely pleasant 
to observe the process of burrowing, and it is by no means difficult to enjoy a view of their 
operations. ‘Taking with me a small telescope or opera-glass, I seated myself at a little distance, 
on the oppposite bank, early on a warm morning in May. The Swallows, noway molested by 
my presence, continued at intervals to excavate their nests. Grasping the perpendicular surface 
of the bank with their claws, and steadying themselves by means of their tails, they commenced 
working by pricking a small hole with their bills. This hole they gradually enlarged by moving 
round and round, and edging off the sand with the side of their bills, which they kept shut. 
Their progress at first was slow; but after they had obtained room to stand in the excavation 
they proceeded very rapidly, working within with their bills, and carefully pushing out the 
loosened sand with their feet; at one time the male, at another the female was the excavator. 
When their burrowing was impeded by the resistance of a stone or any other obstruction, if 
unsuccessful in their efforts to remove it, they left the cell and commenced digging a new one. 
They engaged in these exercises only for a short time each morning, as they abandoned them- 
selves to enjoyment throughout the day. The nests were placed at the end of the cells, the 
depth and direction of which varied much. Some extended three feet, others only a sixth of 
that distance; some were horizontal; some descended nearly perpendicularly for a little and 
then rose again; while others turned in many directions. In all, however, the nest was a little 
elevated above the entrance of the cell. This provision was evidently to facilitate the egress of 
moisture. The materials of the nest were uniformly a few straws of hay and many whitish 
feathers very carelessly thrown together. ..... After the young leave the nest they are fed by 
the parents on the wing. ‘This feat is performed so suddenly as almost to be imperceptible; and 
the parents in the act appear as if teaching the young to fly. Being desirous to ascertain the 
average number of insects destroyed daily by a brood of Swallows, I took my station on a 
summer morning opposite four young individuals, which were sitting on a ledge of earth, near 
3E2 
O09 
