BIRDS OF NEW YORK 343 



Distribution. The Purple martin inhabits North America from Nova 

 Scotia, Saskatchewan and Idaho, south to Florida, Texas and Vera Cruz; 

 winters in Central and South America. In New York this species is found 

 in every portion of the State as a summer resident, but is very local in 

 distribution except in the migration season, when it is more generally 

 observed. I have been unable to secure full enough returns from observers 

 in different parts of the State to plot its exact distribution at the present 

 time, but it is almost entirely confined to villages and cities, both on Long 

 Island and in eastern, northern and western New York, but only one-half 

 or one-third of the villages and cities which were summer homes of this 

 species fifty years ago are now inhabited by it. It is still common in 

 Canandaigua, Geneva, Auburn and various villages and cities in western 

 and central New York. At Rochester there is only one locality in the whole 

 city where it still nests and the pairs are becoming fewer each year. From 

 the returns which I received, it is evident that the Martin is barely holding 

 its own in Auburn and Geneva, but has increased considerably in Canan- 

 daigua due to the encouragement received from residents who have built 

 martin houses and keep the sparrows from them until the martins arrive 

 in April. Unless this same method is pursued in cities where it still exists, 

 the species will be extirpated within a generation in most localities where 

 it does not receive this protection. In this State the Martin makes its 

 appearance from the 2d to the 13th of April in western New York, usually 

 before the loth, and disappears in the fall between the 12th and the 30th 

 of September, in western New York rarely being seen later than the 15th 

 of the month. 



Haunts and habits. The Martin is a cheerful, spritely neighbor — too 

 spritely for such people as wish to sleep late in the morning. All through 

 the fine weather in April, May and June the martins begin to chortle and 

 warble about the martin house as soon as the sun is up. In fact, through- 

 out the whole day one is likely to see martins flying about the house or 

 seated on its ridge or shelves, sunning themselves and pursuing whatever 

 passing insects are observed. In fine weather they hawk for insects high 



