182 
FAMILY——HIRUNDINIDAZ. SWALLOWS. 
General Description. Mostly small birds, wings very long and pointed; feet small 
and wee unsuited to walking; head flattened and bill very short with deep gape (Figure 
54, p. 27). 
Distinctions. Superficially resembling the Goatsuckers, but much smaller and of 
different type of coloration. More apt to be confused with the Chimney Swift than with 
any other species, but without the spines at the end of the tail feathers. 
A world-wide family, of aerial habits, seldom coming to the ground 
except for nesting material. Their feet are weak and suitable for alighting 
only on small twigs, telegraph wires, and similar perches. They take 
their food on the wing and can often be seen sweeping over ponds, slightly 
furrowing the still surface as they drink. They are skilful nestmakers 
and build a remarkable variety of forms from bottle-necked structures 
of kneaded mud to holes tunnelled in earth banks. 
Economic Status. Flying insects constitute almost the entire food 
of the Swallows. Sailing high or low in the air as food results justify, 
the Swallows attack many winged insects which are otherwise almost 
unmolested. Over grain fields and about barnyards where insect eating 
birds are few the Swallows congregate and give efficient assistance to the 
agriculturist. They are sometimes dirty when they nest in numbers 
under eaves and in similar situations, but instead of merely knocking 
down the nests, suitable nesting sites should be provided about the farm 
buildings where they can congregate without offence. A large flock of 
Swallows about the barnyard is of very great advantage to the farmer. 
611. Purple Martin. FR.—L’HIRONDELLE POURPREB. FProgne subis. L, 8. 
Plate XXXV B. 
Distinctions. The largest of our swallows. Size and iridescent blue black coloration 
of the male Martin should be sufficient for the separation of the species. 
Field Marks. Size, colour, almost falcon-like manner of flight, and the voice make 
good field marks. 
Nesting. Under primeval conditions in hollow trees. In civilization in artificial 
bird houses, cavities in cornices of buildings, etc. They are sociable nesters and prefer 
to build in communities of their own kind. 
Distribution. North America. A western subspecies occupies the Pacific coast. 
The eastern form, which is the type race, frequents the most of the settled sections of 
eastern Canada. 
SUBSPECIES. The subspecies of the Purple Martin that occurs in eastern Canada 
is the Eastern Martin P. s. subis, the type form. 
Through the day the birds scatter over the country, returning at 
frequent intervals with food for their young. At evening all return to 
the house they occupy and retire within its shelter for the night. The 
young remain for a considerable time in the nest and even after their 
first flight old and young return to the nest at night. Martins are domestic 
and sociable birds and greet each other with welcoming gurgles and chat- 
terings. Each is interested in the other’s family affairs and there is a 
constant interchange of visits between neighbours. They rarely quarrel 
among themselves but show a united front to common enemies, especially 
the English Sparrow. A colony can hold its own against that pest 
very well indeed, after it has established itself. A Martin house should 
contain several rooms about 8 by 8 inches, weather and draft proof at 
all points except the door which should be about 2 inches in diameter 
and 13 inches from the floor. The house should stand 15 to 20 feet above 
the ground, up well in the open, and in such a manner that it ean be lowered 
for cleaning. 
