PLATE CII. 
The Sand Martins^ 
Are Birds of palTage, and migrate at the Tame time as the common Houfe Martin and Swallow, 
but are not fo well known, we having but few of them ; neither are they fo generally difperfed about 
as other birds, but confine themfelves to the fandy countries, and in Bedfordlhire particularly they 
are to be found during the breeding feafon. They build in the holes of fand banks, but their neft 
differs in its llruaure from the Houfe Martin, being compofed of ftraws and feathers, loofely put 
together ; they lay five or fix eggs, which are white, with a few very faint red fpots on them ; the 
fhells are very thin and tender ; they feldom fettle but when they come to their nefi.'^as they procure 
food for themfelves and young ones in their flight ; in which refpeft they refemble the Houfe 
Martin and Swallow. They are not quite fo large as either, and differ much in colour. They 
affociate with no bird whatever, but keep entirely to themfelves, and quit us on a fudden about 
the end of September or the beginning of Oflober. 
