SWALLOW.
they should return so persistently to a spot that must have, been at least two or throe miles from where
the majority were hatched. As wo quanted* quietly up the narrow and almost overgrown channel that
led through the reed-bed, it was easy to obtain a view of the whole colony before they took wing. I
remarked, on two or three consecutive nights, that about half a score of I'ied Wagtails kept company with
the Swallows. These were running about on the flags and water-plants, and appeared to resort regularly
to the same spot at roosting-time.
A specimen of the Swallow has now and then come under my notice so richly tinted with chestnut on
the breast, as almost to approach the colouring of Hirundo aavignei.
H O U S E - M A R T I N .
HIRUNDO URBICA.
Tun remarks concerning the distribution of the Swallow might equally be applied to the Martin. There is,
however, one addition—viz. that I have good ovideuce a few now- and then make their appearance in the
l i e brides, having watched a pair shimming over t:ie harbour of Stornow'ay iu the spring of 1S75. I could
obtain in> information cone •ruing their j.i ing mi Lie Maud J so it is possible they were only resting for a
while on their way to more northern summer-quarters.
I frequently remarked that these lords, like Sand-Mart ins, are more punctual in tho time of their
arrival than Swallows. After the ratlin budies 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 affected by protracted storms
of wind and rain; it is, I believe, the greatest sufferer from these causes. On twu or three occasions
1 have known almost the whole of the birds in certain localises either destroyed or forced to take their
departure, owing to want of food. from observations made in various parts of the country, I should
he of opinion that this species has greatly decreased during the last few years.
Previous to leaving our sliures for the winter. Marlins often collect into immense flocks. I have
witnessed these gatherings as early as the Kith of August. On that dale in 1874, the rocks to the east of
Canty Hay, on the coast of tho Firth of Forth, were perfectly alive with thousands of these birds,
clustering in swarms along the face of the cliffs. The small colony of Marlins 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 iu the number of the residents; and I observed they remained for some weeks longer
in their usual haunts. On September 27th, ls71), immense (lights alighted on some large buildings near
Brighton, the roofs being completely covered. After remaining three or four hours in the vicinity, the
whole body took their departure in ;l south-westerly direction. These birds remain ill considerable numbers
as late as the second week in November. I watched hundreds tiling, iu company with Swallows, under
tho shelter of the rocks near the Land's End at thai date in 1880. Compared with Swallows, I havo often
remarked that but few" late stayers are noticed after the main body have left our shores. Martins, I
helioi e, more commonly than others of the idirundines, desert their young if these are unable to accompany
them at the time of migration. About the year 1S3J or 18513, T remember several nests, under one building
in the cast of Sussex, being left with the broods utterly unprovided fir. So sudden and siuiull ineous
was the departure of all tho birds, that 1 should almost he of opinion that disease or some unavoidable
mishap must have been the cause of such uniialural behaviour.
The situations in which this species principally delights to fix its nest arc against the brick or stone