182 



FAMILY — HIRUNDINID^. SWALLOWS. 



General Description. Mostly small birds, wings very long and pointed; feet small 

 and weak, unsuited to walking; head flattened and bill very short with deep gape (Figure 

 54, p. 27). 



Distinctions. Superficially resembling the Goatsuckers, but much smaller and of 

 different type of coloration. More apt to be confused with the Chimney Swift than with 

 any other species, but without the spines at the end of the tail feathers. 



A world-wide family, of aerial habits, seldom coming to the ground 

 except for nesting material. Their feet are weak and suitable for alighting 

 only on small twigs, telegraph wires, and similar perches. They take 

 their food on the wing and can often be seen sweeping over ponds, slightly 

 furrowing the still surface as they drink. They are skilful nestraakers 

 and build a remarkable variety of forms from bottle-necked structures 

 of kneaded mud to holes tunnelled in earth banks. 



Economic Status. Flying insects constitute almost the entire food 

 of the Swallows. Sailing high or low in the air as food results justify, 

 the Swallows attack many winged insects which are otherwise almost 

 unmolested. Over grain fields and about barnyards where insect eating 

 birds are few the Swallows congregate and give efficient assistance to the 

 agriculturist. They are sometimes dirty when they nest in numbers 

 under eaves and in similar situations, but instead of merely knocking 

 down the nests, suitable nesting sites should be provided about the farm 

 buildings where they can congregate without offence. A large flock of 

 Swallows about the barnyard is of very great advantage to the farmer. 



611. Purple Martin, fr. — l'hirondellb pourpr^e. Progne suhis. L, 8. 

 Plate XXXV B. 



Distinctions. The largest of our swallows. Size and iridescent blue black coloration 

 of the male Martin should be sufficient for the separation of the species. 



Field Marks. Size, colour, almost falcon-like manner of flight, and the voice make 

 good field marks. 



Nesting. Under primeval conditions in hollow trees. In civilization in artificial 

 bird houses, cavities in cornices of buildings, etc . They are sociable nesters and prefer 

 to build in communities of their own kind. 



Distribution. North America. A western subspecies occupies the Pacific coast. 

 The eastern form, which is the type race, frequents the most of the settled sections of 

 eastern Canada. 



SUBSPECIES. The subspecies of the Purple Martin that occurs in eastern Canada 

 is the Eastern Martin P. s. subis, the type form. 



Through the day the birds scatter over the country, returning at 

 frequent intervals with food for their young. At evening all return to 

 the house they occupy and retire within its shelter for the night. The 

 young remain for a considerable time in the nest and even after their 

 first flight old and young return to the nest at night. Martins are domestic 

 and sociable birds and greet each other with welcoming gurgles and chat- 

 terings. Each is interested in the other's family affairs and there is a 

 constant interchange of visits between neighbours. They rarely quarrel 

 among themselves but show a united front to common enemies, especially 

 the English Sparrow. A colony can hold its own against that pest 

 very well indeed, after it has established itself. A Martin house should 

 contain several rooms about 8 by 8 inches, weather and draft proof at 

 all points except the door which should be about 2 inches in diameter 

 and 1| inches from the floor. The house should stand 15 to 20 feet above 

 the ground, up well in the open, and in such a manner that it can be lowered 

 for cleaning. 



