118 
PICTURES OF BIRD LIFE. 
neighbouring tree, while the old ones, with much twittering and many a graceful 
wheel, circle round and supply them with what they have captured. We once saw 
such a family party sitting on the topmost twigs of an apple-tree in September, 
their white breasts and iridescent necks presenting a beautiful contrast to the ruddy 
apples round them. 
Soon after the Swallow, perhaps between the middle and end of April, the 
Martin (H. urbica ) makes its appearance. It is midway in size between the birds 
just noticed, but besides this, is so characteristically marked that it cannot be 
mistaken. The head and upper plumage, as with the Swallow, are black with 
violet iridescence, but the lower part of the back over the tail and all the lower parts 
are pure white. Its feet and toes, too, are covered with downy feathers, and the 
tail is of moderate length, forked. By the white patch alone over the tail the bird 
is easily distinguishable. This bird generally builds under the eaves of a house or 
outbuilding, flies with the Swallow, and has much the same habits, the nest is 
built of mud and straw, lined with dry stems of grass and feathers. The eggs 
are pure white. We have seen a Martin so late as November 16, hawking in the 
cold sunshine for flies. White writes:—“ One of my neighbours on November 26 
saw a Martin in a sheltered bottom; the sun shone warm, and the bird was 
hawking briskly after flies.” It is amusing to read his conclusion in the light of 
modern ornithology:—“ I am now perfectly satisfied that they do not all leave this 
island in the winter” (Letter 21). It is to the Martin that Shakespeare has written 
some of his best-known verses, which we may trust have gone far with all lovers 
of poetry to secure a welcome for this pretty bird :— 
“ This guest of summer, 
The temple-haunting Martlet does approve 
By his loved mansionry that heaven’s wreath 
Smells wooingly here. No jutty frieze, 
Buttress, nor coigne of vantage but this bird 
Hath made his pendent bed and procreant cradle; 
Where they most breed and haunt, I have observed 
The air is delicate.” 
Macbeth, i. 8. 
The departure of these members of the Swallow family takes place generally from 
about the middle to the end of October, according to the mildness of the season. 
They may be noticed assembling in flocks on the roof of some lofty house, on the 
islands in a river, or the like. Towards evening, after several days of this com¬ 
panionship, they at length fly off and are seen no more. Several of the later broods 
are frequently left behind. Only last year (1879) we saw eighteen Chimney Swallows 
