182 Mr. Peabody on the 
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. i 
"The martin spends the winter in the south, and 
reappears in Louisiana in February, moving on de- 
liberately 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, notwithstanding the shortness of 
their legs, which is unfavorable to that kind of pro- 
gression ; 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 in- 
cubation, 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 occasion. If no other lodgings can be 
