PURPLE MARTIN. 



79 



Sparrows, some few years ago erected in his yard 

 a large pole with cross-pieces, from which he sus- 

 pended, by brass wire chains, each about eighteen 

 inches long, a number of boxes, in which the Mar- 

 tins, also Wrens and Iiluel^ircls, nest without any 

 trouble from their feathered enemy. The swaying 

 motion of these pendent boxes appears to frighten the 

 Sparrows, as not one has ever been observed to alight 

 on or enter them." (Warren.) 



Besides the Martin's cheerful twittering, he has a 

 loud musical call chcc-u, several times repeated, and a 

 charming, liquid, warbling song; his flight is swift 

 and graceful, he devours quantities of insects, espec- 

 ially mosquitoes, wasps, bees and beetles, and is alto- 

 gether a most desirable neighbor. 



