MARTIN. 171 



INSESSORES. 



FISSIROSTRES. HIRUNDINIDJE. 



PLATE XXXIV. 



MARTIN. 



Hirundo urbica. (Linn.) 



The principal distinguishing marks of this bird are as 

 follow : — the whole of the upper parts are glossy black 

 beneath, and on the rump perfectly white ; the legs and 

 toes feathered all the way down, and white. These parti- 

 culars are sufficient at the most hurried glance to decide 

 its proper name. 



The Martin is smaller than the swallow, owing, in a great 

 measure, to its shorter tail ; its head is bigger than that 

 of the former. In length, this bird measures five inches, 

 and twelve inches in expanse ; the length of the outer feathers 

 of the tail is two inches and five-eighths, the middle feathers 

 do not exceed one inch and three quarters. The wings, 

 when at rest, reach almost to the extremity of the tail, 

 and measure, from carpus to tip, four inches seven lines. 

 The beak is three lines from the forehead to the tip, and 

 broader at the base than long, one line and a half in height, 

 blunt at the tip, and a little arched on the upper mandible ; 

 black inside and out, with the exception of the wide swallow, 

 which is pale yellowish-red at the back ; the nostrils are 

 small and round, and are placed very near the base ; the 

 iris is dark-brown. The legs are short and weak, flesh- 

 coloured, and covered with small white feathers, as well 



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