PURPLE MARTI ^J. 219 



cation ; and he is far beneath the Martin in his powers of annoyinj; 

 birds of prey." 



I shall add a few particulars to this faithful and interesting sketch 

 by my deceased friend. About the middle or twentieth of April the 

 Martins first begin to prepare their nest. The last of these which I 

 examined was formed of dry leaves of the weeping willow, slender 

 straws, hay and feathers, in considerable quantity. The eggs were 

 four, very small for the size of the bird, and pure white without any 

 spots. The first brood appears in May, the second late in July. Dur- 

 ing the period in which the female is laying, 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 

 also often passes a quarter of an hour in the apartment beside her, and 

 has become quite domesticated since her confinement. He sits on the 

 outside dressing and arranging his plumage, occasionally passing to the 

 door of the apartment as if to inquire how she does. His notes at this 

 time seem to have assumed a peculiar softness, and his gratulations are 

 expressive of much tenderness. Conjugal fidelity, even where there is 

 a number together, seems to be faithfully preserved by these birds. On 

 the twenty-fifth of May a male and female Martin took possession of a 

 box in Mr. Bartram's garden. A day or two after, a second female 

 made her appearance, and stayed for several days ; but from the cold 

 reception she met with, being frequently beat off' by the male, she 

 finally abandoned the place, and set off", no doubt to seek for a more 

 sociable companion. 



The Purple Martin, like his half-cousin the King-bird, is the terror 

 of Crows, Hawks, and Eagles. These he attacks whenever they make 

 their appearance, and with such vigor and rapidity, that they instantly 

 have recourse to flight. So well known is this to the lesser birds and 

 to the domestic poultry, that as soon as they hear the Martin's voice, 

 ensao-ed in fight, all is alarm and consternation. To observe with what 



DO O ' 



spirit and audacity this bird dives and sweeps upon and around the 

 Hawk or the Eagle is astonishing. He also bestows an occasional bas- 

 tinading on the King-bird when he finds him too near his premises ; 

 though he will at any time instantly co-operate with him in attacking 

 the common enemy. 



The Martin differs from all the rest of our swallows in the particular 

 prey which he selects. Wasps, bees, large beetles, particularly those 

 called by the boys goldsmiths, seem his favorite game. I have taken 

 four of these large beetles from the stomach of a Purple Martin, each 

 of which seemed entire and even unbruised. 



The flight of the Purple Martin unites in it all the swiftness, case, 

 rapidity of turning and gracefulness of motion of its tribe. Like the 



