THE SAND-MARTIN. 

 Cotile riparia (Linnaeus). 

 Plate 15. 



This little bird usually arrives before any of its congeners, often before the end 

 of March, and is easily distinguished from them by its smaller size, duller colour, 

 and uncertain wavering flight — ** wheeling and gliding in untraceable mazes " as 

 Macgillivray puts it. It is widely distributed over the British Islands and 

 through the greater part of Europe, being also found in Asia. It winters in Africa, 

 India, and in South America. 



Sand-Martins nest in colonies, and selecting some steep bank or cutting, 

 excavate holes, digging into the sand or earth with their tiny bills, which seem 

 inadequate tools for such a purpose. On attaining a depth of about two feet, 

 sometimes more, sometimes less, in a dug-out recess at the end of the shaft, the 

 nest is placed. It is made of dried grasses, with a lining of feathers, and contains 

 four or five pure white eggs. 



Like the other members of its family, it lives on insects, and is fond of the 

 neighbourhood of water. When the time approaches for their departure, great 

 numbers collect together, roosting on trees by the river sides, and leave early in 

 September. 



The female does not differ from the male in colour. 



100 



