118 PURPLE MARTIN. 



conflicts, and observed that one of the Blue-birds was possessed of as much 

 courage as his antagonist, for it was only in consequence of the more 

 powerful blows of the Martin, that he gave up his house, in which a nest 

 was nearly finished, and he continued on all occasions to annoy the usurp- 

 er as much as lay in his power. The Martin shewed his head at the en- 

 trance, and merely retorted with accents of exultation and insult. I 

 thought fit to interfere, mounted the tree on the trunk of which the Blue- 

 bird's box was fastened, caught the Martin, and clipped his tail with scis- 

 sars, in the hope that such mortifying punishment might prove effectual 

 in inducing him to remove to his own tenement. No such thing ; for no 

 sooner had I launched him into the air, than he at once rushed back to 

 the box. I again caught him, and chpped the tip of each wing in such a 

 manner that he still could fly sufficiently well to procure food, and once 

 more set him at Uberty. The desired effect, however, was not produced, 

 and as I saw the pertinacious Martin keep the box in spite of all my 

 wishes that he should give it up, I seized him in anger, and disposed of 

 him in such a way that he never returned to the neighbourhood. 



At the house of a friend of mine in Louisiana, some Martins took pos- 

 • session of sundry holes in the cornices, and there reared their young for 

 several years, until the insects which they introduced to the house in- 

 duced the owner to tliink of a reform. Carpenters were employed to clean 

 the place, and close up the apertures by which the birds entered the cor- 

 nice. This was soon done. The Martins seemed in despair ; they brought 

 tAvigs and other materials, and began to form nests wherever a hole 

 could be found in any part of the building ; but were so chased off that 

 after repeated attempts, the season being in the mean time advanced, they 

 were forced away, and betook themselves to some Woodpeckers' holes on 

 the dead trees about the plantation. The next spring, a house was buUt 

 for them. The erection of such houses is a general practice, the Purple 

 Martin being considered as a privileged pilgrim, and the harbinger of 

 spring. 



The note of the Martin is not melodious, but is nevertheless very 

 pleasing. The twitterings of the male while courting the female are more 

 interesting. Its notes are among the first that are heard in the morning, 

 and are welcome to the sense of every body. The industrious farmer 

 rises from his bed as he hears them. They are soon after mingled wth 

 those of many other birds, and the husbandman, certain of a fine day, 

 renews his peaceful labours mth an elated heart. The still more inde- 



