COMMON MARTIN. Il9 



as it came from some part of North America, 

 where the Martin does not occur. 



It is found throughout Europe and Asia, and is 

 much more abundant in England than the Swal- 

 low, which generally arrives here about ten days 

 previous to this bird. On its first appearance it 

 affects low, warm situations, and, should the wea- 

 ther prove favourable, begins to build early in 

 May : its nest is often placed beneath the eaves of 

 houses, and it will sometimes commence in many 

 different places before it fixes upon a spot that suits 

 it : it will also build against rocks and cliffs by the 

 sea side : the nest is composed externally of mud 

 and straw, lined internally with goose feathers in 

 preference to any other, and has a small hole on 

 one side, near the top, for an entrance : it is no un- 

 common thing to observe both the old birds in the 

 nest during the period of incubation, and likewise 

 after the young are first hatched : their eggs are 

 pure white, and five in number the first brood, the 

 second they are three or four, and the third two 

 or three ; but it seldoms happens that they have 

 the latter brood, although they generally have 

 some unfledged young in their nests at Michael- 

 mas : during the time the young birds are confined 

 to the nest, the old ones feed them by adhering 

 to the outside of the nest ; but as soon as they are 

 able to fly, they receive their food on the wing, by 

 a quick and almost imperceptible motion : as soon 

 as the young can provide for themselves, the old 

 ones prepare for another brood. 



As the season advances, the flocks increase in 



