HIRUNDINIDAE—MARTINS.
109
Chipping Hill, Witham, on November 13th, 1878 (29. Nov. 30), and Colonel
Marsden observed one over a pond at Great Oakley, on Nov. 26th, 1889 (29.
Dec. 1).
Mr. Buxton writes (47. 92) :
" In the late summer these
birds gather in thousands to
roost in the reed-bed in the
pond in Cook's Folly, [near
Walthamstow]. This seems to
be the general rendezvous for
the district, and at sunset they
may be seen flying in small ,
companies from every direction
towards this point. The con-
fused noise, as they swarm like
bees to gain a foot-hold among
the reeds, is most remark-
able."
Round Shoebury, Lieut. Legge says (34. 92) it breeds largely " under the
bridges over the watercourses in the marshes." In 1865, he saw the last on No-
vember 5th. In 1887, they were observed at Maldon after cold weather as late
as Nov. 4th (29. Dec. 10).
Mr. Hope informs me that he knew of a swallow living all one winter in Epping
Church. Dr. Bree states (29. Nov. 20, 1875) that he had " a nest and eggs taken
while the old bird was sitting on them in the middle of December [1866] at Wal-
ton-on-the-Naze." The nest in question is still in Dr. Bree's Collection in Mr.
Harwood's possession.
Mr. Clarke, writing about 1845, says (24) that two perfectly white specimens
had been taken at Saffron Walden. One of these, a young bird, is still in the
Museum there. Henry Doubleday records (23. 4871) having seen a pure white
specimen flying over his garden at Epping on the evening of August 19th, 1855.
A young fawn-coloured specimen was shot near Little Baddow, on November
2nd, 1880 (29. Nov. 13).
Martin : Chelidon urbica.
An abundant summer visitor, arriving usually early in April and
departing again about the middle of October, though individuals are
sometimes observed much later. They would be very much com-
moner than they are with us were it not for the Sparrows taking pos-
session of their nests. I consider that the late Col. Russell was
more than justified in all that he wrote upon this subject.
His interesting paper, entitled " Martins and Sparrows," published
in the Journal of Proceedings of the Essex Field Club (vol. iii., p. 20),
should be read by every one. In this paper he clearly shows
how the useful and ornamental Martins are being steadily exter-
minated by the injurious and obnoxious Sparrows, which take
possession of their nests. For many years Col. Russell carried on
an incessant war against the Sparrows at Stubbers, shooting every
one that appeared, until at last they became scarce birds. The