Purple Martins and the Moon 



adds largely to our interest in their 

 movements. Dwelling in colonies, 

 they not only seem to get on well with 

 one another as individuals, but act in 

 concert in all matters involving the 

 common welfare. Their dominant 

 characteristics are their irrepressible 

 gayety, and their astounding feats in 

 aviation. They did not exactly fancy 

 my standing some twenty yards from 

 the high post that supported their 

 colonial home, for the barracks were 

 filled with the fruits of springtime 

 honeymoons. They circled and 

 wheeled and balanced and turned in 

 almost impossible gyrations, waiting 

 for some overt act on my part that 

 might either reassure or add to their 

 apparent trepidation. Although a stiff 

 wind was blowing over the field, in 

 which I had placed in the early spring 

 their elevated station, they were able 

 to "stand still," so to speak, while on 

 the wing, as they narrowly studied my 

 attitude. This ability of the purple 



[8s] 



