BIRDS OF KANSAS. 501 



Progne subis 



PURPLE MARTIN. 

 PLATE XXX. 



Summer resident; common. Arrive the last of March to 

 first of April; begin laying about the last of April; leave the 

 last of August to middle of September. 



B. 231. R. 153. C. 165. G. 75, 253. U. 611. 



HABITAT. The whole of temperate North America; south in 

 winter to southern Mexico. Breed throughout their United 

 States range. 



SP. CHAR. Adult male: Entirely uniform lustrous steel blue, with violet 

 blue reflections; the wings and tail black, slightly glossed with bluish. Adult 

 female: Above, glossy blue black, becoming hoary grayish on the forehead, and 

 sometimes on the nape also; throat and jugulum gray; rest of lower parts white, 

 relieved by dusky shaft streaks. Young: Similar to adult female, but above 

 less glossy blackish, and the nape crossed by a more distinct grayish collar. 

 The young male is several years in attaining the uniform glossy violet black 

 plumage, the steel blue feathers appearing in gradually coalescing patches. 

 (Ridgway.) 



Stretch of 

 Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. 



8.15 16.25 5.75 3.15 .55 .50 



The birds vary somewhat in size, but the females that I have 

 measured average fully as large as the males. 



Iris brown; bill, legs, feet and claws black. 



These large Swallows are among the first arrivals in the spring, 

 and they are greeted with a hearty welcome, as they return to 

 their summer homes. The bird houses, erected for their espe- 

 cial use, are put in order, or, for want of these inviting, church- 

 like dwellings, boxes and gourds are placed on poles, trees, or 

 outbuildings, to tempt them to remain. In unsettled regions, 

 or where preparations are not made to receive them, they nest 

 in Woodpeckers' holes and natural cavities in trees; but as they 

 have no fear of man, but rather seek his presence and protec- 

 tion, they gladly abandon the wild woods for a farmer's dwell- 

 ing or a city home. They are greatly attached to their selected 

 homes, and, when not disturbed, will nest for years in the same 

 places. They are faithful guardians, and with a keen eye notice 

 the approach of an enemy, when, with warning notes to others, 

 they so vigorously attack (in a manner similar to the Kingbirds), 



