BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 343 



SWALLOW TRIBE. 



The PURPLE MARTIN, Hirundo purpurea, is more intimate 

 with man than any other native bird. So great a favorite is 

 he, that lodgings are provided for him, by the northern farmer, 

 by the southern slave, and even by the Indian, who puts up a 

 calabash for him at his cabin door ; not wholly from benevo- 

 lence, but because the martin pays rent, by keeping insects 

 from the deer skins and venison, exposed in the air to dry. 



The martin spends the winter in the south, and reappears in 

 Louisiana in February, moving on deliberately in immense 

 flocks, which divide into smaller parties as they proceed. 

 They have a rapid flight, though not equal in that respect to 

 the Barn Swallow. They can drink and bathe on the wing, 

 without stopping for the purpose, by plunging hastily in the 

 stream and then shaking themselves to throw off the water. 

 They alight on the ground, and can walk with ease, notwith- 

 standing the shortness of their legs, which is unfavorable to 

 that kind of progression ; but flying is their favorite motion ; 

 and in the air, they can make themselves formidable by the 

 rapidity of their movements, to an enemy far superior in size. 

 Even the eagle, if he comes in sight of the martin's box, is 

 compelled to retire in disgrace. 



The nest of the martin is made, toward the last of April, of 

 sticks, willow twigs, grasses, leaves, rags and feathers. The 

 eggs are white, from four to six in number. The male takes 

 part in the work of incubation, and is very attentive to his 

 mate. If no habitation is provided for them, they will dislodge 

 bluebirds from their box, and after depriving them of their 

 home, will add insult to injury, abusing them on every occa- 

 sion. If no other lodgings can be found, they will resort to a 

 woodpecker's hole. But they are not often driven to such ex- 

 tremities ; the industrious class of the community give them 

 shelter for the sake of their morning call, which is the earliest 

 that salutes the day. Their notes are generally pleasing, 

 though not in the least musical ; and the martin, aware of the 



