PASSERES — HIRUNDINID^: — HIRUNDO. 37 



GENUS HIRUNDO. Linnaeus. 



Bill with a few scattering bristles at the base. Edge of upper mandible with a distinct notch. 

 Tarsus scutellate in front ; the toes scutellate. Middle toe slightly longest : hind toe not 

 versatile. First quill longest. Tail of twelve feathers, emarginate or forked. 



THE PURPLE MARTIN. 



HlRUNDO PURPUREA. 

 PLATE XXVIII. FIG. 61. 



(STATE COLLECTION. Female.) 



Hirundo purpurea, Linn., Gmelin. 



PxirjiU Martin. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 5, p. 38, pi. 39, figs. 1 and 2. 



If purpurea. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. Vol. 2, p 64. 



Purple Martin. NuttAll, Man. Orn. Vol. 1. p. 598. Audubon, fol. pi. 22; Orn. Biog. Vol. 1, p. 115, and 



Vol. 5, p. 408. Id. B. of A. Vol. 1, p. 170, pi. 45 (male and female). 

 Progne purpurea. Bonaparte, Comp. and Geog List, p. 8. 

 H. purpurea. Purple Martin. Giraud, Birds of Long Island, p. 31. 



Characteristics. Dark bluish purple and glossy. Wings and forked tail brownish black. 

 Female and young, bluish brown ; belly pale. Length, 1\ inches. 



Description. Bill rather robust. Wings rather longer than the tail, which is forked. 

 Plumage compact, glossy. 



Color. Quills, greater coverts and tail black. General color purplish black, with blue 

 metallic reflections. Lores velvet black. Legs of a dark soiled purple. Female, paler 

 above and lighter beneath, where we observe longitudinal ochreous streaks, intermixed fre- 

 quently with darker spots or streaks. 



Length, 7-0-8-0. 



This is the largest American species of the family. It reaches this State from the south 

 about the middle of April. They are bold and active, attacking and pursuing all the larger 

 birds who venture to approach their nests. They are consequently general favorites, and 

 boxes are usually prepared for them against dwelling houses, of which they take possession, 

 driving off any previous occupant. It commences building its nest almost immediately after 

 its arrival, laying from four to six pure white eggs, and often raising two broods in a season. 

 It feeds upon various winged insects, such as wasps, bees and large beetles. It leaves us, 

 on its southern migration, about the middle of August. Its geographical range is very great. 

 It has been observed by Mr. Swainson as far south as Pernambuco, in 9° south latitude. I 

 have seen it there, and also at Bahia in about 12° south, but neither saw nor heard of it 

 farther south. To the north, it penetrates the arctic circle. Peculiar to America. 



Boie has recently formed the genus Progne from this bird, but I am not informed what 

 characters he has assigned to it. ^ 



