reaching three-quarters of an inch beyond the end of the
second tail-feather; from the carpal joint to the tip of the
wing, fire inches; the first and second quill-feathers nearly
equal, but the first longest.
The female has less chestnut on the forehead, the upper
surface generally not so glossy, the dark thoracic band
narrower, the lower parts less tinged with huff and the
belly .nearly white, while the outermost tail-feathers are also
shorter.
The young on leaving the nest have the forehead, a line
over the eye, and the chin, pale chestnut, the thoracic band
dull black, but faintly glossed and the upper parts .generally
are much less bright, while the white spots on the. tail-
feathers are tinged with rufous. The outermost tail-feathers
do not acquire their full length till after the first moult.
P AS S ERES. IH R UNDINLDÆ._
C h e l id o n u r b ica (Linnaeus*).
THE MARTIN.
Hirundo urbica.
Chelidon, F. Boie.f—Rill short, depressed and very wide at the base, commissure
slightly decurved. Nostrils basal, oval, partly closed by a membrane and
opening laterally. Wings, with nine primaries, long and pointed. Tail forked,
of twelve feathers, the: outermost not abruptly attenuated. Legs and feet
slender, closely feathered above, toes rather loDg, three in front, one behind,
claws moderate, sharp.
T h e spring-appearance of the Martin in Europe is usually
some days later than that of the Swallow whose habits
its own in many respects closely resemble, but the former
does not with us. attach itself so exclusively to buildings as
does the latter, and though it is often observed to be more
numerous in towns than the Swallow, the Martin yet retains
in this country some of its original seats, for it still chooses
its breeding-place in cliffs, generally on the coast, but sometimes
inland, and quite apart from any human habitation.
* Hirundo urbica, Linnasus, Syst. Nat. Ed. 12, i. p. 344 (1766).
f Isis, 1822, p. 550.