PASSERES (HIEUNDINID^). 399 



seeds, which they eat in large numbers. Such generally is the 

 food of the Emberizinee. 



Finches, with the exception of the bullfinch, sparrow, and 

 greenfinch, may be said to be more or less useful birds, on account 

 of the numerous insects and weed-seeds that they destroy. 



SWALliOWS AND MaETINS (HirUNDINID^). 



These useful migrants have all long and pointed wings with 

 nine primary feathers. The three species — the Swallow, House- 

 martin, and Sand-martin — are placed in three separate genera. 

 They have all a wide gape, with few hairs on the mouth ; the 

 feet are short, with three toes dire'cted forwards, one behind. 

 The tail is more or less forked. 



The Swallow (Hirundo rustiea) belongs to the genus Hirundo, 

 in which the tail is strongly forked and consists of twelve 

 feathers, the outermost ones being elongated to form the two 

 tails ; the legs and feet are bare. The swallow is only a 

 summer visitor, arriving about the middle of April, and leaving 

 again in the autumn. The nests, of clay and mud lined with 

 fine grasses and feathers, are chiefly placed in sheds and chim- 

 neys and ledges of rock. They feed, both in young and adult 

 stages, upon various insects taken on the wing, especially crane- 

 flies (Tipulce), moths, gnats, and beetles. Swallows unite in large 

 flocks prior to migrating in the autumn. Two and even three 

 broods are produced during their stay; sometimes the last 

 brood does not develop in time to undertake the long migration. 

 Whether these backward birds stay all the winter seems a 

 disputed point. They may now and then be seen at Hastings 

 in Ifovember, and twice I have observed them in December 

 flying about on a warm day. 



The House-martin (Ghelidon urbica) has a forked tail, but it 

 is not long like the swallow, and the legs are feathered above. 

 This martin generally arrives a little later than the swallow, and 

 leaves in October and November. A few have been seen in 



