MARTIN. 175 



paid it several visits, hut, for reasons known only to them- 

 selves, they finally abandoned it. 



We have often observed that Martins appear very whim- 

 sical in their choice of a nesting-place, beginning and aban- 

 doning sometimes many nests before a site is determined 

 upon. This occurred on our own house during the past 

 summer : many nests were commenced, and the little builders 

 were seen from time to time bringing materials gathered from 

 the borders of the Thames, plastering a layer with their little 

 beaks, which they use in the manner of a builder's trowel ; 

 many were thus commenced, but not one carried to its com- 

 pletion, and all were at last forsaken. They had met with no 

 molestation, as, on the contrary, we were anxious to protect 

 them, and we could only conclude that the situation being 

 much exposed both to sun and wind, the materials had dried 

 too quickly to insure their tenacity : some fragments that fell 

 from them on the window frame seemed to favour that 

 opinion, as they crumbled to the touch ; these fragments 

 contained angular pieces of flint, but did not appear to 

 have been cemented together by a saliva, as is usually sup- 

 posed. 



The size of the nest of the Martin is about six inches 

 in diameter from side to side in the interior ; the thickness 

 of the wall of the construction is about half an inch on the 

 sides, and about an inch at the bottom ; the inner surface 

 is smooth, but the outside knotted in consequence of 

 the rough lumps of clay retaining their original form : the 

 only lining these nurseries obtain is a few feathers to cover 

 the bottom. The nest, when ready, not only serves the 

 pair for the bed-room, but the birds continue to inhabit it 

 during the whole breeding season. The female sits twelve 

 or thirteen days upon her eggs, which are from four to 

 six in number. During that time the male supplies her 



