STRANGE DWELLINGS . 
34 
untenanted, its form is almost cylindrical. In all cases the 
tunnel slopes gently upwards, so as to prevent the lodgement 
of rain, and its depth is exceedingly variable. About two feet 
and a half is a fair average length. Generally, the direction of 
the burrow is quite straight, but sometimes it takes a curve, 
where an obstacle, such as a stone or a root has interrupted the 
progress of the bird. Should the stone be a large one, the 
Sand Martin usually abandons the burrow, and resumes its 
labours elsewhere, and in a piece of hard sandstone rock many 
of these incomplete excavations may be seen. 
At the furthest extremity of the burrow, which is always 
rather larger than the shaft, is placed the nest — a very simple 
structure, being a little more than a mass of dry herbage and 
soft feathers, pressed together by the weight of the bird’s body. 
Upon this primitive nest are laid the eggs, which are very small, 
and of a delicate pinky whiteness. 
Few foes can work harm to the Sand Martin, during the task 
of incubation. Rats would find the soft sandy soil crumble 
away from their grasp ; and even the lithe weasel would expe- 
rience some difficulty in gaining admission to the nest. After 
the young Sand Martins are hatched, many foes are on the 
vatch for them. The magpie and crow wait about the entrance 
of the holes, in order to snap up the inexperienced birds while 
making their first essay at flight ; and the kestrel and sparrow- 
hawk come sweeping suddenly among them, and carry off some 
helpless victim in their talons. 
Man is perhaps the worst foe of the Sand Martin, for there 
is a mixture of adventure and danger in taking the eggs, which 
is irresistible to the British schoolboy. 
Fortunately for the Sand Martins, many of their nests are 
placed in situations which no boy can reach, and there are 
happily some instances where the services which they render 
to mankind are properly appreciated. Mr. C. Simeon, in his 
‘ Stray Notes on Fishing and Natural History,’ gives an inter- 
esting account of some Sand Martins which are thus gratefully 
protected : — 
‘ Whilst waiting for the train one afternoon at Weybridge, I 
