The Natural History of Selborne

The bank-martins at the sand-pit on Short-heath are now busy about their second brood, & have thrown out their egg-shells from their holes.  The dams & first-broods make a large flight.  When we approached their caverns, they seemed anxious, & uttered a little wailing note.  My well is low in water; but a constant spring bubbles up from the bottom.  Some neighbouring wells are dry.  My well is 63 feet deep.