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The eggs of the Purple Martin measure *91 of an inch in length hy - 79 in breadth. 

 They are of an oblong-oval shape, are pointed one end, are of an uniform creamy-white, 

 and are never spotted. They are quite uniform in size and shape. Eggs from Florida 

 are proportionally smaller than those from Northern States." 



Dr. Hatch's notes from Minnesota are as follows : — " These birds soon build their 

 nests in various places, but manifest a strong preference to have them near dwellings. 

 Their readiness to occupy boxes, artificial houses placed on poles, on the eaves of out- 

 houses, is a matter of the commonest observation, doubtless from no sentiment toward 

 our species, but because our habits and our habitations attract the larger quantities of 

 insects upon which they feed; yet, like the Chimney-Swallow, they frequent the forests, 

 and employ holes in old dead trees in many places familiar to me. They habitually 

 enter the State at the southern border early in April, as Dr. Hvoslef of Lanesboro' has 

 the 3rd of that month in his record for several years in succession. He also observed 

 the circumstances of their disappearing again for a few days — once eleven — and then 

 invariably remaining upon their return. The nest consists of fine straw, hay, dried 

 leaves, and feathers which are employed to line it. They lay four pure white eggs, that 

 are almost indistinguishable from those of the White-bellied Swallow. The first brood 

 is brought out by the 10th of June and another one late in July. 



" As a fighter, the courage of this bird has but one approximation, and that is the 

 Kingbird. Crows, Havens, Hawks, and Eagles are instantly put to flight by them, and, 

 in the words of Wilson, ' so well known is this to the lesser birds, that as soon as they 

 hear the Martin's voice engaged in fight, all is alarm and consternation. To observe 

 with what spirit and audacity this bird dives and sweeps upon and around the Hawk, 

 or the Eagle, is astonishing. He also bestows an occasional bastinadoing on the Kingbird, 

 when he finds him too near his premises, though he will at any time instantly co-operate 

 with him in attacking the common enemy.' The value of the Purple Martin to the 

 general or the special agriculturist is so well understood and so universally accepted on 

 account of their destruction of noxious insects, that, for an exception, no argument is 

 needed with that class of producers to defend it." 



Eor the following account we are indebted to the kindness of our friend Mr. Ernest 

 Thompsom : — " Its nest is usually placed in situations similar to those selected by the 

 White-breasted Swallow r , a favourite location being the joist-holes left in the end of a 

 house, when it is intended that at some future period another building will be conjoined. 

 The material of the nest proper is, as in most of the Swallows, straw and the large curling 

 feathers from the flanks of Geese or other barn-fowl. 



" My friend Mr. C. W. Nash communicates some interesting observations on this 

 species, as follows : — ' I take the following extract from an unpublished paper of mine 

 on this bird, written in 1878 : Erom my notes on migration kept from the year 1873 I 

 find that this bird usually arrives in the Province of Ontario about the middle of April, 

 the earliest date I have recorded being April the 15th and the latest May 4th, dependent 



