SAND MARTIN 
99 
corners of the windows themselves, or elsewhere 
about our buildings. The nest-wall consists of a 
crust of mud pellets, and is completely closed 
except for a small hole ; it is lined with bits of 
straw and an inner cushion of feathers. If the 
birds have but little to do to repair a last year's 
nest for occupation, the eggs will probably be laid 
by about the third week in May, and a second set 
about the beginning of July. Many birds, however, 
only manage a single brood. The eggs are pure 
white, long, pointed, and glossy ; four or five is 
the usual number. The Martin suffers much from 
persecution by the House-sparrow, which often 
appropriates its nest as soon as the outer shell is 
nearly completed, and lines it with hay, feathers, 
and general rubbish in its own untidy fashion. 
SAND MARTIN. 
{Cotile r if aria!) 
Bank Martin, Sand Swallow. — Owing to its 
special requirements for nesting the Sand Martin 
is a rather local bird, though it is found in suitable 
places almost from end to end of the British Islands. 
It arrives, as a rule, about the end of March or 
early in April, and is generally to be noticed, as soon 
as it comes, hawking for insects in the neighbour- 
H 2 
