Bird Study 



115 



Tree swallows. 

 Photo by A. A. Allen. 



The Tree Swalloiv — This graceful little bird builds naturally in holes in 

 trees, but readily accepts a box if it is provided. It begins to build soon 

 after it comes north in late April and it is well for us to encourage the tree 

 swallows to live near our houses by building houses for them and driving 

 away the English sparrows. The tree swallows live upon many insects 

 which annoy us and injure our gardens and damage our orchards; they 

 are, therefore, much more desirable neighbors than the English sparrows. 

 The tree swallows congregate in great numbers for the southern migration 

 very early in the season, often in early August. They are likely to con- 

 gregate in marshes, as are also the other swallows. In color the tree 

 swallow has a green metallic back and head, a pure white breast with no 

 band across it, and these peculiarities 

 distinguish it from all other species. 



The Purple Martin — The martin is 

 a larger bird than the largest swallow, 

 bemg eight inches in length, while the 

 bam swallow does not measure quite 

 seven. The male is shining, steel- 

 blue above and below; the female is 

 brownish above, has a gray throat, 

 bro^vnish breast and is white beneath. 

 The martins originally nested in hol- 

 low trees but for centuries have been 

 cared for by man. The Indians were 

 wont to put out empty gourds for 

 them to nest in ; and as soon as 

 America was settled by Europeans, 

 martin boxes were built extensively. 

 But when the English sparrows came, 

 they took possession of the boxes, and 

 the martins have to a large extent 



A martin luiise. 



