HOUSE-MARTIN 
II I RUN DO URBICA. 
The remarks concerning the distribution of the Swallow might equally be applied to the Martin. There is, 
however, one addition — viz. that I have good evidence a few now and then make their appearance in the 
Hebrides, having watched a pair skimming over the harbour of Stornoway in the spring of 1875. I could 
obtain no information concerning their nesting on the island ; so it is possible they were only resting ioi a 
while on their way to more northern summer-quarters. 
I frequently remarked that these birds, like Sand-Martins, are more punctual in the time of their 
arrival than Swallows. After the main bodies have taken up their quarters, it is seldom stragglers are 
noticed on the passage in any thing approaching the numbers of the dilatory Swallows. 
In the same manner as the majority of the family, this species is readily alfected by protracted storms 
of wind and rain ; it is, I believe, the greatest sufferer from these causes. On two or three occasions 
I have known almost the whole of the birds in certain localities either destroyed or forced to take their 
departure, owing to want of food. From observations made in various parts of the country, I should 
be of opinion that this species has greatly decreased during the last few years. 
Previous to leaving our shores for the winter, Martins often collect into immense flocks. I have 
witnessed these gatherings as early as the 16th of August. On that date in 1874, the rocks to the east of 
Canty Bay, on the coast of the Firth of Forth, were perfectly alive with thousands of these birds, 
clustering in swarms along the face of the cliffs. The small colony of Martins that have their summer 
quarters °in the rocks in this neighbourhood do not exceed a few hundreds in number. It is evident that the 
greater part of this multitude must have been strangers from the interior of the country or the towns 
and villages along the coast. Though all signs of the visitors had disappeared on the following day there 
was no diminution in the number of the residents; and I observed they remained for some weeks longer 
in their usual haunts. On September 27th, 1879, immense flights alighted on some large buildings near 
Brighton, the roofs being completely covered. After remaining three or four hours in the vicim y, ic 
whole body took their departure in a south-westerly direction. These birds remain in considerable numbers 
as late as the second week in November. I watched hundreds flying, in company with Suallous, un u 
the shelter of the rocks near the Land’s End at that date in 1880. Compared with Swallows, Ihwoften 
remarked that but few late stayers are noticed after the main body have left our shores 
believe, more commonly than others of the Hirundines, desert their young if these are unable accompa y 
them at the time of migration. About the year 1855 or 1856, I remember several nests, under one building 
in the east of Sussex, being left with the broods utterly unprovided for. So sudden and simu an 
was the departure of all the birds, that 1 should almost be of opinion that disease or some unavoidable 
mishap must have been the cause of such unnatural behaviour. . 
The situations in which this species principally delights to fix its nest are against the buck or stone 
