74 The Birds of Albany County 



during migration. The nest is made of mud, lined with 

 grasses and feathers; eggs, four or five, spotted with light 

 brown. 



Purple Martin. — Progne subis. 8.00 



Very Rare Summer Resident 



Field marks. — Largest of the swallows; entire plumage 

 lustrous steel-blue ; wings and tail brownish. 



A pair of these birds was seen in Watervliet about a 

 bridge over the river two years ago, evidently looking for 

 a nesting site. They probably breed here sparingly in rural 

 places, though I have met no one who can vouch for this 

 fact. The Martins were once numerous, coming into cities 

 to breed, but have been almost exterminated by the English 

 Sparrows usurping their nesting boxes. The eggs number 

 four or five and are pure white. 



Family Tanagrida? 



Scarlet Tanager. — Piranga erylhromelas. 7.26 



Uncommon Summer Resident 



Field marks. — Entire body flaming scarlet; wings and tail 

 ebony black. 



This, the most brilliantly plumaged bird in North America, 

 is rather a local bird, sometimes being apparently absent from 

 quite wide areas. I observed a number in Montgomery and 

 Schenectady Counties, but have never seen more than half a 



