68 
OUR HOME BIRDS. 
they instantly have recourse to flight. So well 
known is this to the lesser birds and to the domes- 
tic poultry that as soon as they hear the martin’s 
voice engaged in fight all is alarm and consterna- 
tion. 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 bastinadoing on the king-bird when he 
finds him too near his premises, though he will at 
any time instantly co-operate with him in attacking 
the common enemy.’ 
“ He does not, like the other swallows, live prin- 
cipally on flies and the smaller insects, but is fond 
of wasps, bees, large beetles, and particularly the 
kind that boys call goldsmiths. 
“ The purple martin is quite able to take care of 
himself, and any bird which attempts to encroach 
upon his rights is sure to have the worst of it. Some 
one heard a noise one morning from a couple of mar- 
tins that were flying from one tree to another near 
his house ; and on watching them he saw them make 
several attempts to get into a box or cage which was 
fixed against the house, and which they had before 
occupied; but they always appeared to fly from it 
again with the utmost dread, at the same time re- 
peating those loud cries which first attracted the 
gentleman’s attention. 
