PURPLE MARTIN. 
611. Progne subis. 7° inches. 
Male, blue black; female, dull black and grayish. 
These large, jolly Swallows are commonly seen about 
cities and towns within their range. Originally they 
dwelt in hollow trees, and some do yet, but the ma- 
jority have recognized the superiority of man’s dwell- 
ing and now live in houses built especially for them 
or in cornices of houses or barns. It is no uncommon 
sight to see a handsome gabled structure of many 
rooms, perched upon a twelve-foot pole, on the lawns 
of many wealthy residents; others less bountifully sup- 
pled with this world’s goods use plain soap boxes for 
the same purpose, and the Martins seem to like the one 
as well as the other. 
Song.—A strong, varied grating warble or twitter, 
more forcible than melodious. 
Nest.—Of straw, paper, rags, ete., in bird houses, 
gables or hollow trees; eggs dull white (.98 x .72). 
Range.—N. A., breeding from the Gulf to New 
Brunswick and Saskatchewan; winters in northern South 
America. 
