568 AVES— MARTEN. 



speaking, only the swallow that washes on the wing, hy making many suc- 

 cessive dips into a pond. Swallows will attend horsemen for miles, over 

 wide downs, to collect such insects as are aroused by the trampling of the 

 horses' feet. 



THE PURPLE MARTEN! 



Is a general inhabitant of the United States, and a particular favorite wher- 

 ever he takes up his abode. 



This bird, like the rest of his tribe, is migratory. His summer residence 

 is universally among the habitations of man, who, having no interest in his 

 destruction, is generally his friend and protector. Whenever he comes, he 

 finds some hospitable retreat fitted up for his accommodation. Some people 

 have large conveniences formed for the martens, with many apartments, 

 which are fully tenanted, and occupied regularly every spring. Even the 

 solitary Indian seems to have a particular respect for this bird. The Choc- 

 taws and Chickasaws cut off all the top branches of a sapling near their 

 cabins, leaving the prongs a foot or two long, on each side of which they 

 hang a gourd or calabash, hollowed out for their convenience. On the 

 Mississippi the negroes stick up long canes, with the same species of apart- 

 ment, in which the martens regularly breed. They begin their nest about 

 the middle of April. It is formed of a quantity of willows, slender straws, 

 feathers, and hay. When the female is sitting, she is frequently visited by 

 the male, who occupies her place while she takes a short recreation abroad 

 He sits on the outside of the apartment where she is, dressing and arranging 

 his plumage, occasionally passing to the door, as if to inquire how she is. 

 His notes at this time seem to have a peculiar softness, and his gratulations 

 are expressive of much tenderness. 



Conjugal fidelity seems to be faithfully preserved by these birds. A male 

 and female marten once took possession of a box in Mr Bartram's garden. A 

 day or two after, a second female made her appearance, but from the cold 

 reception she met with, being frequently beat off by the male ; she finally 

 abandoned the place, and set off no doubt to seek a more sociable com- 

 panion. 



The flight of the purple marten unites in it all the swiftness, ease, rapidity 

 of turning, and gracefulness of motion of its tribe. His usual note peuo, 

 peuo, peuo, is loud and musical; but is frequently succeeded by others that 



1 Hirundn purpurea, Lix. 



