PURPLE MARTIN— VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW. 



119 



plished ; the bird sinks close to the water, and suddenly darts be- 

 neath its surface, reappearing in less than a moment, and then 

 flies off to a distance to shake the moisture from its plumage. The 

 Swallow devours enormous numbers of flies, beetles, and butter- 

 flies. When in pursuit of prey, it either keeps near the ground, 

 or skims through the air at an altitude regulated according to the 

 barometical state of the atmosphere, insomuch that from this fact 

 has arisen the popular idea that its movements indicate the kind 

 of weather to be expected. 



The length of this species is about five inches. 



Purple Martin. (Progne purpurea.} 

 Fig. 8. 



A very abundant species that is met with at suitable season, in 

 most parts of North America. Its notes, which consist of a lively 

 twitter, may be heard at the approach of day, after which prelude 

 succeeds their excited musical chatter. Mr. Gentry, in his " Life 

 Histories of Birds," says : 



" Few species are more eminently sociable and confidential, and 

 manifest greater pleasure in man's society, where suitable building 

 conveniences are provided, than the subject of this sketch. . . . 



" Constant association with man for many years has wrought a 

 wonderful change in its character and habits. Except in special 

 cases, nidification no longer takes place in hollow trees in secluded 

 situations, but is now accomplished within our gardens and lawns. 

 In the selection of a place, this bird is not very particular; an old 

 tin can, or a perforated gourd, is as truly acceptable as the most 

 costly structure which affluence can effect. When there is a 

 scarcity of boxes, etc., it does not hesitate to dispute the right of 

 another species ; even the mischievous little Wren often finds its 

 efforts to bar out intruders complete!}' foiled. What this species 

 can not accomplish individually, it effects by combination ; for in 

 union there is strength. 



" Like the Blue-bird, it has a strong attachment to the scenes 

 of past associations, and frequents the same localities year after 

 year, unless driven away. Its quarrels with others frequently re- 

 sult from their pre-occupancy of accustomed sites. 



"The great good which the Martins accomplish, should com- 

 mend them to our favor and esteem, and should be an inducement 

 for us to extend to them our warmest sympathies and fullest pro- 

 tection. The beetles that injure our fruits ; the aphides that sap 

 the strength of our useful as well as ornamental plants ; the various 

 dipterous insects, as Musca domestica, Tabanus lineola, Musca 

 ccesar, and the Ortalis and its allies, whose larvae infest our rasp- 

 berries and other fruits, and produce the galls of many of our 

 commonest plants. 



" Like the Cliff and Bank Swallows, this species is fond of so- 

 ciety. Where several apartments exist in a house, as many pairs 

 take up their quarters ; often six pairs have been known to occupy 

 the same dwelling. The most perfect order and harmony prevail 

 among the tenants; but woe to the feathered stranger that ap- 

 proaches ; for the combined strength of the male portion of the en- 

 tire community is summoned to wreak instant vengeance upon 

 him. 



" The males are strongly attached to their partners, and faithful 

 and ever attentive to their wants. We are disposed to believe that 

 the species arrives already paired, as we have never observed the 

 least indication of anything that would lead to a different belief. 

 When a male has once selected a partner, we know no instance 

 where she has been abandoned, while living, for another, during 

 the season for which she was espoused. In some cases, this alli- 

 ance is dissolved at the close of the breeding-season, to be reas- 

 sumed during the subsequent spring: in others, the separation is 

 doubtless permanent, another taking the place of the discarded 

 suitor; again, the union is life-long. We believe that this rela- 



tionship, in some cases at any rate, with the present species is life- 

 long, unless this important business is attended to at the time of 

 setting out from its southern home. 



Nest-building commences about the 15th of May, and is the 

 joint labor of the sexes. A nest is two days in building. Scraps 

 of paper, leaves, grasses, feathers, and bits of strings are utilized 

 for this purpose. The whole is quite loosely arranged. Oviposi- 

 tion commences the day after the nest is completed, and lasts from 

 four to five days, one egg being laid -per diem. Incubation com- 

 mences on the ensuing day, and continues for a period ranging 

 from eleven to twelve days, according to meteorological vicissitudes, 

 and the assiduity of the female. As we have not detected the male 

 engaged in sitting, we presume that it is wholly performed by the 

 female. While the latter is thus occupied, he is very attentive, 

 thoughtful, and provident. The}' - are both extremely assiduous in 

 their attentions to the young, and feed them upon the larvse of va- 

 rious lepidoptera, mosquitos, small spiders, and mature forms of 

 Tabanus lineola, Musca domestica, and Ortalis and its allies. 



" In about twelve days from the time of hatching, the young 

 quit the nest, but still continue to be fed by their parents for a week 

 more, when they are prepared to provide their own nourishment; 

 still continuing, however, to reside with their parents. Occasion- 

 ally two broods are reared annually. While the parents are en- 

 gaged in rearing the second brood, the first is scouring the coun- 

 try for food, but returns in the evening to the place of common 

 shelter, when suitable accommodations exist. In August, 1874, 

 we were visiting in Bridgetoa, N. J., and had the privilege of study- 

 ing very minutely the history of this species. Close by the place 

 where we were staying, was located a house of considerable ca- 

 pacity, and possessing a dozen apartments. These were occupied 

 by as many pairs of birds early in the season. Two broods had 

 been successfully reared. At the time to which we refer, all the 

 young had attained maturity, and were dwelling with their parents. 

 Early in the morning, the almost deafening clatter that emanated 

 from the building, told that its inmates were astir and prepared to 

 commence their daily avocation. The departure of one from the 

 building was the signal for the rest to do likewise, which they did 

 to the number of sixty and upward. Instead of leaving instanter, 

 they kept circling around the house for at least ten minutes, chat- 

 tering away at a fearful rate ; and then, as if by common consent, 

 struck off in divers directions, and were not seen again until sun- 

 set, when they returned to renew the circling movements of the 

 morning, with the same amount of noise, when one by one, with 

 as much regularity as the marching of soldiers, would drop into 

 the building until the last had entered. A little din and chatter- 

 ing over the day's adventures, and all was quiet again. The 

 presence of persons upon the scene did not cause the circle to 

 waver in the least. Being very intent upon this sort of amuse- 

 ment, for such it seemed to be, nothing seemed to distract attention 

 or cause desistance therefrom. The most unbounded confidence 

 in man, acquired and strengthened by the peaceable enjoyment of 

 his society for many years, has rendered this species exceedingly 

 tame and unsuspicious. Few species manifest their trustfulness to 

 such an extent. Their departure for warmer countries occurs 

 usually about the 15th of September. 



" Their eggs are oblong-oval, being pointed at one end, and of 

 an unspotted, creamy-white color. They measure 0.93 of an inch 

 in length, and 0.78 in breadth." 



Violet-Green Swallow. (Tachycineta thalassina.) 

 Fig. 9. 



This beautiful species is met with upon the table-lands of the 

 Rocky Mountains, and its migrations extend through the middle 

 and western provinces, to Canada, and south to Mexico. Dr. 

 Cooper observes that it " frequents chiefly the groves of oak 



