410 PURPLE MARTIN. 



the female is laying, and before she commences incubation, they 

 are both from home the greater part of the day. When the fe- 

 male 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 be- 

 beside her, and has become quite domesticated since her con- 

 finement. 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 pos- 

 session of a box in Mr. Bartram's garden. A day or two after, 

 a second female made her appearance, and staid 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 & more sociable companion. 



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

 terror of Crows, Hawks, and Eagles. These he attacks when- 

 ever they make their appearance, and with such vigour and ra- 

 pidity, 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, engaged in fight, 

 all is alarm and consternation. To observe with what 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 pre- 

 mises; though he will at any time instantly cooperate 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 fa- 

 vourite game. I have taken four of these large beetles from the 

 stomach of a Purple Martin, each of which seemed entire and 

 even unbruised. 



