4 



as in the East, where almost every country-house, and even some in large cities, furnish 

 them with a residence, usually a neat little hotel with many apartments, each opening 

 on to a porch, and all mounted together on a high pole. Like Pigeons, the Martins live 

 in perfect harmony with their neighbours ; while our other house-loving pets, the Blue- 

 birds and Wrens, must have a large range of territory, and drive away intruders too near 

 their homes. Yet the Martins have courage enough, as is shown by their occasionally 

 driving away the smaller birds, and even Pigeons, to appropriate their quarters. They 

 also drive away every Hawk or Crow that shows itself near their nest, and thus protect 

 poultry. 



" The loud and twittering song of the Martin, though mixed with some harsh notes, 

 is remarkably pleasing, and continues during its whole stay with us, beginning at dawn, 

 and heard at intervals during the day as they pursue their prey through the higher air, 

 generally far above the smaller Swallows, though they sweep occasionally along the 

 ground. Their nest is made of leaves, straw, hay, and feathers in large quantities, and their 

 eggs, from four to six, are pure white. They probably raise two broods here, as in the 

 East. They prey on the larger flying insects that appear during the day, and none are 

 so swift as to escape them." 



The specimens figured in the accompanying Plate are two of the typical examples 

 kindly lent to us hy Mr. Brewster, and the descriptions have been taken from the same 

 birds. 



Por the geographical distribution of this species, vide supra, Plate 82 [Map]. 



