118 THE HOUSE MARTIN. 



over the greater part of the body, with the exception of the wings and tail, which are of a deep 

 blackish-brown. The female and young male birds are brown, mth a strong blue tinge upon 

 the upper parts of the body, and only a grayish-white below. 



The Swallows are at present embraced under the family HirundinidcB. Seven species are 

 known in North America. 



The Purple Martin (Progne subis) is the largest and finest appearing of this group. 

 It is a general inhabitant of the United States, reaching as far north as Hudson's Bay. It has 

 a strong liking to the %dcinity of man's habitation. 



The Barn Swallow {Hirundo eryfhrogastra) is the most familiar form in the Northern 

 States. Wilson says ; "We welcome the first appearance of the Swallows with delight, as the 

 faithful harbingers and companions of flowery spring and ruddy summer ; and when after a 

 long, frost-bound, and boisterous winter, we hear it announced that the Swallows have come, 

 what a train of charming ideas are associated with the simple tidings." The Cliff and White- 

 bellied Swallows are familiar to the country-side. 



The pretty little Sand Martin is, in spite of its sober plumage and diminutive form, a 

 very interesting bird, and one which adds much to the liveliness of any spot where it may take 

 up its abode. 



In size it is less than any of the other Hirundinidse, being l^ss than five inches in total 

 length. The color of this bird is very simple, the general tint of the entire upper surface of 

 the head and body being a soft brown, relieved from too great uniformity by the sooty- 

 black quill feathers of the wings and tail. The under surface is pure white, with the excep- 

 tion of a band of brown across the upper ijai-t of the chest. Tlie young bird possesses a lighter 

 plumage than the adult, owing to the yellowish-white tips of the back, tertiaries, and upper 

 coverts. The beak is dark browTi, and the eyes hazel. 



Resembling the common swallow in habits and general appearance, the House Martin 

 may easily be distinguished from that bird by the large white patch upon the upper tail- 

 coverts, a peculiaiity which is even more notable when the bird is engaged in flight than when 

 it is seated on the ground or cUnging to its nest. In the dusk of evening the Martins may 

 often be seen flying about at so late an hour, that their bodies are almost invisible in the dim 

 and fading twilight, and their presence is only indicated by the white patches upon their 

 backs, which reflect every fading ray, and bear a singular resemblance to white moths or 

 butterflies darting through the air. 



This beautiful little bird is found in all parts of Europe, and is equally familiar with the 

 swallow and sand ]\Iartin. It places its clay-built nest principally under the shelter afforded 

 by human habitations, and becomes so trustful and fearless that it will often fix its nest close 

 to a window, and will rear its young without being dismayed at the near presence of human 

 beings. 



It is rather a curious fact that the Martin should be so apparently capricious in its archi- 

 tectural taste, as has frequently been observed. The bii'ds ^^^ll often take a great fancy to one 

 side of a house, and will place whole rows of their nests under the eaves, totally neglecting 

 the remaining sides of the house, e\'en though they offer equal or superior accommodation. 

 Generally the Martins avoid \\\e south side, apparently from a well-grounded fear that the 

 heat of the midday sun might crack and loosen the mud walls of their domiciles. A north- 

 eastern aspect is in great favor with the Martins, and I lately observed a very great number of 

 their nests affixed to the eastern walls of a row of houses, together with several isolated cot- 

 tages, and, on a careful examination, could not see a single nest upon any other part of the 

 buildings. 



The nest of this species is extremely variable in shape and size, no two being precisely 

 similar in both resi)ects. Generally the edifice is cup-shaped, with the rim closely pressed 

 against the eaves of some friendly house, and having a small semicircular aperture cut out of 



