PLATE CLXXV. 



Hiron Jelle a ciil blanc. Biif, 6. p. 6l4. f. 25. f. 2. 

 Le Petit Martinet. PL Ettl. 542. /. 2. 



Martin, Martlet, or Martinet. fVllL fJngl.) p, 213. 

 t. 39,-^ Jib. 2. t, 56. a. 



Lath. Gen. Sijn. 4. p. 564. Siippl. 

 p. 192. 



The HoLife Martin differs from the Sand Martin, which we have 

 ah'eady given in this Work, in fome very ftriidng particulars. It is a 

 larger bird, and unhke that fpecies which forms its refidence in 

 the banks of fand, in fituations folitary and remote from the habi- 

 tations of man ; this little intruder, emboldened by familiarity, 

 conftru6ls its nefts, and breeds under the cornices and eaves of our 

 houfes, againft our windows, or amongft the thatch, wherever a con- 

 venient refting place is afforded ; but not in chimnies like fwallows. 

 Their neft is compofed of mud and a few twigs or fticks, and lined 

 with feathers ; and the eggs, which in the firft laying are five in 

 number, in the fecond four, and in the third three, are of a white 

 colour. There are two or more broods in the year. 



This fpecies is more abundant than the common Swallow, and 

 though many build and breed here, the Houfe Martin performs an 

 annual migration like that of the common Swallow, and nearly about 

 the fame time. They arrive in England about twenty days before 

 the Swallow, and depart again in Autumn. 



It is a fiiiall bird, being only five inches and a half in length; 

 the colour above blackifli, very richly gloffed with blue ; the wings 



brovvn> 



