UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 335 



north, in the month of October, sometimes remaining with us all the 

 winter, and is always observed early in the spring, on the route back 

 to its breeding place. During his residence here he frequents the 

 projecting banks of creeks, old roots, decayed logs ; he approaches 

 the farm house, rambles about the wood-pile, creeping among the 

 interstices like a mouse. He even ventures into our cities, and is 

 often observed in company with the Snow-birds and winter Sparrows 

 that frequent our gardens. It is not yet known whither this species 

 retires to breed. 



The Purfile Martin is a general inhabitant of the United States, 

 and a particular favourite wherever he takes up his abode. His 

 summer residence is universally among the habitations of man ; who, 

 having no interest in his destruction, and deriving considerable ad- 

 vantage as well as amusement from his company, is generally his 

 friend and protector. Wherever he comes, he finds some hospitable 

 retreat fitted up for his accomodation and that of his young. 



The Purple Martin, like the King-bird, is the terror of Crows, 

 Hawks and Eagles. These he attacks whenever they make their 

 appearance, and with such vigour and rapidity, that they instantly 

 have recourse to flight. Our farmers would do well to provide suita- 

 ble boxes for this noble bird, who will keep at a respectful distance 

 all those winged plunderers who are unceasingly on the watch for an 

 opportunity to regale themselves upon the poultry. The Martins 

 have young but once in a season ; and the male does not attain to his 

 perfect plumage until the third or fourth year. 



Barn Swallow. There are but few persons in the United States 

 unacquainted with this gay, innocent and active little bird. Indeed 

 the whole tribe are so distinguished from the rest of small birds by 

 their sweeping rapidity of flight, their peculiar aerial evolutions of 

 wing, over our fields and rivers, and through our very streets, from 

 morning to night, that the light of heaven itself, the sky, the trees, or 

 any other common objects of nature, are not better known than the 

 Swallows. We welcome their first appearance with delight, as the 

 faithful harbingers and companions of flowery spring, and ruddy 

 summer ; and when, after a long, frost-bound and boisterous Winter, 

 we hear it announced, that " The Swallows are come I'* what a train 

 of charming ideas are associated with the simple tidings ! 



It has been long asserted, and the doctrine of torpidity has had many 

 supporters, that the Swallows winter in the mud, at the bottom of 

 lakes and mill-ponds. That the ignorant should believe in such 

 absurdities, is not surprising, but that men of intelligence and science 

 should for a moment indulge the preposterous idea, excites our 

 astonishment in no ordinary degree. The Geese, the Ducks, the Cat- 

 bird, and even the Wren which creeps about our outhouses in sum- 

 mer like a mouse, are all acknowledged to be migratory, and to pass 

 to southern regions at the approach of Winter ; — the Swallows alone, 

 on whom Heaven has conferred superior powers of wing, must sink 

 in torpidity at the bottom of our rivers, or doze all winter in the 

 averns of the earth ! Is not this true, ye wise men of Europe and 

 America, who have published so many credible narratives on this 

 subject? Is the organization of a Swallow less delicate than that of 

 a man ? Can a bird, whose vital functions are destroyed by a short 

 privation of pure air, and its usual food, sustain, for six months, a 

 situation where the most robust man would perish in a few hours or 

 moments ? Away with such absurdities !— They are unworthy of a 



