368 PURPLE MARTIN. 
/ 
came; in a short time they were very familiar, and took possession 
of the box; these consisted of two or three pairs. By the 15th of 
May, the Blue Birds had eggs, if not young. Now the Martins arrived 
in numbers, visited the box, and a severe conflict ensued. The Blue 
Birds, seemingly animated by their right of possession, or for the pro- 
tection of their young, were victorious. The Martins regularly arrived 
about the middle of May, for the eight following years, examined the 
apartments of the box, in the absence of the Blue Birds, but were 
uniformly compelled to fly upon the return of the latter. 
“The trouble caused you by reading this note you will be pleased 
to charge to the Martin. A box replete with that beautiful traveller, 
is not very distant from my bed-head. Their notes seem discordant 
because of their numbers; yet to me they are pleasing. The indus- 
trious farmer and mechanic would do well to have a box fixed near 
the apartments of their drowsy laborers. Just as the dawn approaches, 
the Martin begins its notes, which last half a minute or more; and 
then subside until the twilight is fairly broken. An animated and 
incessant musical chattering now ensues, sufficient to arouse the most 
sleepy person. Perhaps chanticleer is not their superior in this 
beneficial qualification ; and he is far bencath the Martin in his pow- 
ers of annoying birds of prey.” 
I shall add a few particulars to this faithful and interesting sketch 
by my deceased friend: — About the middle, or 20th, of April, the 
Martins first begin to prepare their nest. The last of these which I 
examined, was formed of dry leaves of the weeping willow, slender 
straws, hay, and feathers in considerable quantity. The eggs were 
four, very small for the size of the bird, and pure white, without any 
spots. The first brood appears in May, the second late in July. 
During the period in which the female is laying, and before she com- 
mences incubation, they are both from home the greater part of the 
day. When the female is sitting, she is frequently visited by the male, 
who also occupies her place while she takes a short recreation abroad. 
He also often passes a quarter of an hour in the apartment beside her, 
and has become quite domesticated since her confinement. He sits 
on the outside, dressing and arranging his plumage, occasionally pass- 
ing to the door of the apartment as if to inquire how she does. His 
notes, at this time, seemed to have assumed a peculiar softness, and 
his gratulations are expressive of much tenderness. Conjugal fidelity, 
even where there is a number together, seems to be faithfully pre- 
served by these birds. On the 25th of May, a male and female Martin 
took possession of a box in Mr. Bartram’s garden. A day or two after, 
a second female made her appearance, and staid for several days; but, 
from the cold reception she met with, being frequently beat off by the 
male, she finally abandoned the place, and set off, no doubt, to seek for 
a more sociable companion. 
The Purple Martin, like his half-cousin the King Bird, is the terror 
of Crows, Hawks, and Eagles. ‘hese he attacks whenever they make 
their appearance, and with such vigor and rapidity, that they instantly 
have recourse to flight. So well known is this to the lesser birds, and 
to the domestic poultry, 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 ar:d sweeps upon and around the 
