542 MICHIGAN I'ARl) J.IFE. 



245. Purple Martin. Progne subis subis (Linn.). (611) 



Synonyms: Martin, Black Martin, House Martin. — Hirundo subis, Linn., 1758. — 

 Hirundo puriJurea, Wils., Autl., Nutt. — Progne subis, Baird, Allen, Coues, and most 

 authors. 



Figure 123. 



Largest of our swallows; tail moderately forked. Sexes unlike. Male 

 entirely dark steel-blue except wings and tail which are brownish black 

 without metallic reflections. Female similar above, but duller; under 

 parts grayish or brownish white. 



Distribution. — Temperate North America, north to Ontario and the 

 Saskatchewan, south to the higher parts of Mexico, wintering in northern 

 South America. 



This species is too well known to need any extended description, being 

 a familiar bird in nearly every city and village of the state, nesting about 

 the cornices of city blocks, in boxes or bird houses 

 especially provided for it, or less commonly in wood- 

 peckers' holes or other cavities in dead trees. It has 

 constant quarrels with the English Sparrow and in 

 many instances is known to have been driven from its 

 (piarters by these vandals, although it not infrequently 

 defends its home successfully against them. 



In southern Michigan the Martin arrives from the 

 south in April, sometimes as early as the first (Peters- 

 I)urg 1890, Bay City April 2, 1897), more often between 

 the 10th and 20th of the month, but sometimes not r^.^-^ of ^Purple Martin 

 until the very last of the month or even the first of 

 May. Careful study of the migration of this species might settle some 

 interesting points as to the migration routes in the state. It was 

 recorded at Palmer, Marquette county. May 28, 1897, and at the 

 Sault May 23, 1899. It is one of the first of our swallows to move south- 

 ward in autumn, usually disappearing about the middle of August and rarely 

 seen as late as September 1. It thus precedes the Bank Swallow, Barn 

 Swallow and Cliff Swallow by one or two weeks, and the White-bellied 

 Swallow by a month or more. 



Ordinarily Martins migrate Ijy day and Prof. Fruidv Smith obsci'ved 

 them in August 1905, at Macatawa Park. Ottawa county, moving southward 

 in immense numljers. He writes "On August 15, 1905 there was a very 

 extensive movement of Purple Martins southward over a strip of territory 

 about one-half mile in width along the shore of Lake Michigan. I counted 

 for three to five minute periods at several different times and found that an 

 average of nearly forty Martins per minute were passing over. I went to 

 Holland, seven miles inland, about 11 a. m. and saw almost no Martins, 

 although watching continuously one and one-half hours (four birds only). 

 They were as al)undant as ever on my return to the Lake, 237 passing in 

 five and one-half minutes." There is one record of Martins migrating at 

 night, when they were heard and seen (against the moon) on the night of 

 August 8, at Waterville, Me., and from the fact that first ai-rivals in spring 

 are as often noted early in the morning as toward night it seems probable 

 that they not infrequently travel at night. 



Martins are among our most beneficial birds, their food consisting almost 



