117 



PURPLE MARTIN. 



AMERICAN PURPLE MARTIN. 



PLATE LXII. 



Sirundo purpurea, . . . Wilson. Audubon. 



NiDiFiCATTON commeiices in April or May, according 

 as the place halted at is farther or otherwise on the 

 "Great North Road." 



The nest is made of leaves, hay, straw, or feathers, 

 in considerable quantity. 



The eggs are about four in number, small for the 

 size of the bird, and pure white, without any spots. 

 The first brood appears in May, the second late in 

 July. Both the male and female birds assist in the 

 work of incubation; the former relieving and attending 

 on the latter with much careful tenderness. 



