1/02 THE PERCHING BIRDS 



group; while the purple martins (Progne} of America and a few African 

 lf M* 5 f species constitute the rough-winged group, in which the outer margin 



of the first primary presents a serrated edge in the adult male. The 

 purple martins are birds of robust and elegant form, possessing a long and stout bill, 

 broad at the base; long and pointed wings; and a tail much forked. Although 

 they are most numerous in Brazil and the adjoining States of South America, one 

 species summers in the United States, and another is a native of Patagonia. Dar- 

 win's purple martin is apparently confined to the Galapagos islands, while the 

 Caribbean purple martin is peculiar to the West Indies. The common purple mar- 

 tin (P. p^lrpurea} is one of the most familiar of North- American birds, and enters 

 the southern borders of the United States as early as February, gradually extending 

 its range over the country, the highest latitudes being reached only in the middle 

 or end of May. In its habits the purple martin differs from most of its congeners 

 in its predilection for nesting in cavities in hollow trees, such as the deserted holes 

 of woodpeckers, this being especially the case in the western United States. The 

 nest cavity is lined with fine stems of grass, leaves, and small twigs, quilted with 

 feathers and other soft substances; and the eggs are pure white. Several pairs of 

 birds often occupy the same nest, and the majority of couples are double brooded. 

 The purple martins leave their summer home in August, retreating into the interior 

 of South America. The adult male has the entire body of a lustrous steel blue; and 

 the wings and tail bluish black. The female is dark grayish brown, but has the 

 head and back glossed with blue. 



