190 BRITISH BIRDS. 
as much at home amidst the bustle and confusion as in the quiet country 
districts. . 
Wilson states that about the middle or the 20th of April, the Purple 
Martin sets about preparing its nest ; and the first brood appears in May, 
and the second late in July. It used formerly to breed in holes in rocks 
and trees, but now buildings seem to possess the greatest charm for it. 
The nest appears to be a very loosely made structure of dry leaves and 
grass, fine straws and twigs, and is lined with a considerable quantity of 
feathers. Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway state that rags, string, and other 
rubbish often form part of the nest, which is thoroughly repaired after 
the first brood has flown, and is occupied, presumably, by the same pair of 
birds every year. The eggs are from four to six im number, pure white 
and very glossy, and measure from 1:0 to ‘93 inch in length, and from 
°8 to 65 inch in breadth. Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway state that eggs 
from Florida are proportionately smaller than those from the Northern 
States. Wilson writes :—‘‘ During the period in which the female is lay- 
ing, and before she commences incubation, they are both from home the 
greater part of the day. When the female is sitting she is frequently 
visited by the male, who also occupies her place while she takes a short 
recreation abroad .... He sits on the outside, dressing and arranging 
his plumage, occasionally passing to the door of the apartment as if to 
enquire how she does. His note at this time seems to have assumed a 
peculiar softness, and his gratulations are expressive of much tenderness.” 
The Purple Martin is said to be a very bold and courageous bird, and 
never fails to attack an intruder on its domain. He is even said to mob 
such large birds as Crows, Hawks, and Eagles, attacking them with such 
vigour as to make them instantly resort to flight. The song of this bird is a 
succession of twittermg notes heard at the earliest dawn, and during the 
early period of incubation incessantly uttered. Its flight is very rapid ; and 
it glides very often like our Swift. Wilson writes :—‘‘ He passes through 
the most crowded parts of our streets, eluding the passengers with the 
quickness of thought; or plays among the clouds, gliding about at a 
vast height, like an aerial being. His usual note, pewo, peuo, peuo, is loud 
and musical; but is frequently succeeded by others more low and gut- 
tural.” 
The food of the Purple Martin is principally composed of bees, wasps, 
and large beetles, a fare very different from that of most Swallows. ‘These 
birds do not winter in the United States; and their departure is said to 
vary according to the state of the season. ‘They move southwards in large 
flocks, occasionally halting for a few days on the hill-sides near the sea, 
then passing on again. 
The Purple Martin has the general colour of the plumage lustrous steel- 
blue with a purplish gloss; the wings and tail are dull black; on the sides 
