Birds of Oregon and Washington 1 1 1 



But in the East no bird has suffered so much 

 from the English Sparrow as the Purple Martin, 

 through the pre-emption by the Sparrows of the 

 houses intended for their betters. 



It is to be regretted that the Purple Martin 

 is not more numerous and more generally dis- 

 tributed in this section of the country. But 

 they are quite numerous in special localities and 

 already are preferring to nest about houses 

 rather than in the hollow trees. They were 

 seen and heard by the writer at St. Helens, on 

 the Columbia River, in May, 1899, and in the 

 spring of 1901 were found nesting in and about 

 the city of Tacoma. 



If we keep several bird-houses on our premises, 

 we may succeed in bringing a pair of these de- 

 light-giving creatures to pass each spring and 

 summer with us ; for, once hospitably enter- 

 tained, they will return as regularly as the sea- 

 sons. 



PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION. Male : Rich glossy 

 black, with bluish and purple tints ; duller black on the 

 wings and tail ; wings rather longer than tail, which is 

 forked. 



Female : As above. 



