PLATE LIX. 
The Martin. 
These birds make their firft appearance about the latter end of May, when they begin to build 
their nefts, which is generally formed againft fome window, or under the eaves of houfes or barns, 
and is compofed of dirt lined with feathers ; they are extremely induftrious till it is finifhed, 
more than a pair being frequently at work on one neft, and when completed they will fight for it. 
The Sparrow will fometimes encounter them for their habitation, and often gains the viaor)^ driving 
the Martins clear away. Tho' the Martin's neft is compofed of dirt, they are a bird which never 
appear dirty in themfelves, but on the contrary delicately clean; they lay five or fix fmall eggs per- 
feaiy white, they feed on fmall flies, and feem peculiarly formed for flight, which renders it eafy 
for them to procure food for themfelves and young. If their neft is not difturbed they will hatch 
their fecond brood in it, or if damaged, repair it; it is common to fee three or four nefts built 
clofe together, and feldom unoccupied in the fummer; they beftow infinite pains in working dirt 
together, and yet they foon complete a neft ; they are extremely fond of wafiiing themfelves, and in 
hot weather will fly near the furface of the water and dip as they fly, apparently in danger of 
remaining on the water; they feldom alight on the ground except for the materials of their neft, 
and are particularly fond of feathering themfelves on the houfe top when the fun fliines; they afl-Q- 
ciate with no birds but the Swallow, and with them not till the latter end of the fummer, when they 
have done breeding. When the mornings begin to get cold and frofty they flock together in great 
numbers, uniting in a general chorus, and leaving us rather abruptly. 
