62 



PURPLE MARTIN. 



ing, and before she commences 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 quar- 

 ter of an hour in the apartment beside her, and has become quite 

 domesticated since her confinement. He sits on the outside dress- 

 ing and arranging his plumage, occasionally passing to the door of 

 the apartment as if to enquire how she does. His notes at this time 

 seem 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 preserved by these 

 birds. On the twenty-fifth 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. These he attacks whenever 

 they make their appeai*ance, 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 and sweeps 

 upon and around the Hawk or the Eagle is astonishing. He also 

 bestows an occasional bastinading on the King-bird when he finds 

 him too near his premises ; tho he will at any time instantly co- 

 operate with him in attacking the common enemy. 



The Martin differs from all the rest of our Swallows in the 

 particular prey which he selects. Wasps, bees, large beetles, parti- 

 cularly those called by the boys goldsmiths, seem his favorite game. 

 I have taken four of these large beetles from the stomach of a Pur- 

 ple Martin, each of which seemed entire and even unbruised. 



