THE PURPLE SWALLOW. 
117 
Like other swallows, the Purple Martin exhibits a great predilection for the spot where it 
has once built its nest, and will return year after year to the beloved locality. 
As is the case with many familiar birds, such as the robin, the sparrow, and the swallow, 
the Purple Martin is a most fearless and withal quarrelsome bird, greatly delighting in annoy- 
ing any other bird that may happen to be larger than itself, and trusting to its great command 
of wing for impunity. Hawks of all kinds, crows, jays, and similar birds live in constant 
terror of the Purple Martin, which no sooner sees the hateful form of a hawk or crow in the 
• distance than it flies at him savagely, and makes such rapid and vicious pounces, that the 
wretched victim is fain to escape as he best can from the attacks of his small but determined 
foe. Even the eagle enjoys no immunity from the persecution of the Purple Martin, which 
dashes at the regal bird with as much assurance as if it were only chasing a pigeon. It is 
rather remarkable that although the Purple Martin will generally fly at the king-bird, it will 
make common cause with that bird against the eagle, and unite in a temporary alliance until 
the common enemy is driven off. 
The Purple Swallow feeds mostly upon the larger insects, such as wasps, bees, and beetles, 
caring little for the gnats, flies, and other small insects which form the food of the generality 
SAND MARTIN.— Cotyle riparia. PURPLE SWALLOW . — Progne subis. 
of swallows. The flight of this species is wonderfully rapid and active, the little bird dashing 
to and fro with lightning speed, and wheeling with such remarkable suddenness that it really 
has nothing to fear from the larger but less active claws of the eagle or falcon. 
When this bird builds in a crevice or other spot which has not been prepared by the hand 
of man, the nest is found to consist of a rather large mass of dried grass, leaves, moss, feathers, 
and other similar substances, and contains from four to six white eggs. When several birds 
are building in proximity to each other, they make an extraordinary noise at the break of 
day, which, although very useful in awaking the farmers and their men in time for their daily 
work, is by no means agreeable to those whose tastes do not incline them to early rising. 
There are generally two broods in each year, and both parents take their fair turn in sitting 
upon the eggs. 
As might be gathered from the popular name of this bird, the color of this species is a 
rich, deep purple, of a very glossy kind. This purple hue is peculiar to the male, and extends 
