INTRODUCTION. 
a 
bracketing’ its cup-shaped nest in our chimneys and outhouses, and rearing its progeny upon the insects it 
captures in their neighbourhood, departs again in autumn to more southern climes, carrying with it our god- 
speed for its M'elfare until it returns to receive our renewed greeting. 
Genus Chelidon. 
Other species besides the clothed-tarsed one frequenting our island are known ; they are mostly from 
India, China, and Japan. 
51. Chelidon urbica ............ Vol. II. PI. VI. 
House-Martin. 
This pretty fairy-like bird arrives about the middle of April, constructs a semiglobular nest of mud under 
the eaves of our dwellings, and, after rearing its progeny, departs again in the autumn to the warmer country 
of Africa — where the sun still vivifies an abundance of insect life, and thus furnishes a plentiful supply of 
food to these insectivorous birds. 
Genus Cotyle. 
A very distinct little group are the Sand-Martins, whose habits are peculiar and very different from those 
of the Swallow or the House-Martin. They inhabit the Old and the New World. 
52. Cotyle riparia Vol. II. PI. VII. 
Sand-Martin. 
Arrives early in spring, assembles in flocks, breeds in colonies, makes a slight nest in a hole in a sandbank, 
and, after rearing its young, departs south on the first chilly days of August or September. 
53. Cotyle riparia ............ Vol. II. PI. VIII. 
Sand-Martin (young) 
as seen on the bank of the Thames, in the month of August, prior to departure south. 
Genus Pogne. 
54. Progne purpurea. 
Purple Martin. 
A strictly American form, of which four or five examples are said to have been killed in our islands — one 
near Dublin, one in Yorkshire, and two at Klngshury in Middlesex. 
