114 SINGIXG BIRDS — OSCINES. 



hotel with luaiiy apartments, each opening on to a porcli, and all nio\inted 

 together on a liigh pole. Like pigeons, the martins live iu i)erl'eet harmony 

 with tlieir neighbors ; while our other house-loving pets, the bluebirds and 

 ■\\Tens, must have a large range of territory, and drive away intruders too 

 near their homes. Yet the martins have courage enough, as is shown by 

 their occasionally driving away the smaller birds, and even pigeons, in order 

 to api)roj)riat.e their ([uarters. They also drive away e\'ery hawk or crow 

 that shows itself near their nest, and thus protect poultry. 



The loud and sweet twittering song of the martin, though mixed with 

 some harsh notes, is remarkably pleasing, and continues during its whole 

 stay with us, beginning at dawn, and heard at intervals during the day as 

 they pursue their prey through the higher air, generally far above the 

 smaller swallows, though they also sweep occasionally along the ground. 



Their nest is made of leaves, straw, hay, and feathers iu large quantities, 

 and their eggs, from four to six, are jjure white. They probably raise tw'o 

 broods here, as in the East. They prey on the larger flying insects that 

 appear during the day, and none are so swift as to escape them. 



According to Audubon, this species arrives in the ^Middle Atlantic States 

 before the barn swallow. 



In ISGG I observed them first on April 2Gth, at Santa Cruz; but none 

 build iu (jr near the town. 



Family VIREONID^, The Geeenlets. 



Char. Basal joints of anterior toes shortened ; that of middle toe shorter 

 than that of inner, and imited throughout to the basal Joint of both inner 

 and outer toes. Lateral plates of tarsus undivided, except at lower end. 

 Lower edge of Iowqt mandilde more than half tlie lengtli of lower jaw from 

 tip to angle of mouth. Bill couieal and compressed,, decm-ved at end. 

 Tarsus longer than middle toe and claw. Lateral toes unequal. Prima- 

 ries ten ; the first short, sometimes wanting. 



The family of the vireos, or greenlets, is peculiarly American, and is 

 represented by many species, some or other of them occurring in every 

 part of tlie continent. But two genera, and tliese closely allied to each 

 other, belong to the LTnited States. 



The relations of the ViramuJcc are ^-ery close to the Ampdidw and 

 Laniidxr, the three forming a special group by themselves. 



