HIRUNDO PURPUREA. 
36 
my bed-head. Their notes seem discordant because of 
their numbers ; yet to me they are pleasing. Th* 
industrious farmer and mechanic would do well te 
have a box fixed near the apartments of their drowsy 
labourers. Just as the dawn approaches, the marti# 
begins its notes, which last half a minute or more ; an® 
tlien subside until the twilight is fairly broken. A® 
animated and incessant musical chattering now ensue* 
sufficient to arouse the most sleepy person. Perhaj^- 
chanticleer is not their superior in this beneficial quail' 
fication ; and he is far beneath the martin in his power* 
of annoj'iug birds of prey.” 
1 shall add a few particulars to this faithful an® 
interesting sketch by my deceased friend ; About th* 
middle, or 20th, of April, the martins first begin t® 
prepare thi'ir nest. The last of these, which I examined) 
was formed of dry leaves of the weeping willow, slende® 
straws, hay, and feathers, in considerable quantit®' 
The eggs were four, very small for the size of the bird* 
and pure n bite, uitliont any spots. The first brood 
appears in May, the second hate in July. During th® 
period in which the female is laying, and before sl>® 
commences incubation, they are both from home th® 
gi-eater part of the day. When the female is sitting) 
she is frequently visited by the male, who also occupie* 
her place while she takes a short recreation abroad- 
He also often passes a quarter of an hour in the apaP' 
ment beside her, and has become quite domesticated 
since her confinement. He sits on the outside dressiny 
and .arranging his plumage, occasionally passing to tb® 
door of the apartment as if to inquire how she doc* 
His notes, at this time, seem to have assumed a peculi®® 
softness, and his gratuhitious are cxpre.ssive of mucli 
tenderness. Conjugal fidelity, even where there is * 
number together, seems to be faithfully ])reserved b/ 
these birds. On the 25th of May, a male and femal® 
martin took possession of a box in Mr Bartram’s garde®- 
A day or two after, a second femide made her .appea^ 
ance, and stfiid for several d.ays ; but, from the col® 
reception she met W'ith, being frequently beat off by 
