The American Barn Swallow. BIRDS. The Purple Martin. 281) 
identical with our chimney swallows, although the dif- 
ferences even in the plumage, are quite sufficient to 
distinguish the two birds at first sight. The American 
bird is about seven inches in length, and thirteen in 
extent of wing ; the whole of the upper parts are steel 
blue, as is also the breast; the forehead and the rest of 
the lower surface are chestnut-coloured, paler on the 
abdomen. The wings and tail are brownish black, 
with a slight greenish gloss ; the tail is much forked, 
the outer feathers in the male bemg an inch and a 
half longer than any of the rest, and each feather of 
the tail, except the two middle ones, is marked with 
an oblong white spot. 
This swallow makes its appearance in the United 
States in the month of March, and by the beginning 
of April is generally dispersed all over the country to 
the east of the Alleghanies, often ascending to a con- 
siderable elevation on high mountains. Like the 
European swallows, these birds have a predilection for 
the habitations of man, and, according to Wilson, they 
take up their abode in every barn to which they can 
have access. The feeling of the farmers is so strongly 
in their favour, that they are seldom molested, and 
Wilson mentions two superstitions which are enter- 
tained regarding them, and which must strongly con- 
duce to their presei'vation. A German farmer assured 
him, “ that if a man pemiitted the swallows to be 
shot, his cows would give bloody milk, and also that 
no barn where swallows frequented would ever be 
struck with lightning ; and,” says Wilson, “ I nodded 
assent. When the tenets of superstition lean to tlie 
side of humanity, one can readily respect them.” 
The nest is not built until the beginning of May. 
It is of the form of an inverted cone, with one side 
cut off where it is applied against the rafter or other 
point of support ; like the nests of the European 
swallows, it is composed of mud mixed with fine hay 
to bind it together. The conical hollow of the nest 
is stuffed with fine hay, upon the top of which a layer 
of downy feathers is placed, and upon this scientifically 
constructed bed the eggs are laid. These are usually 
five in number, of a white colour, speckled all over 
with reddish-brown. The birds generally have two 
broods in the season, and although twenty or thirty 
nests are often established in the same barn, and 
the nests are often placed close together, no 
squabbling takes place amongst the inmates. In the 
air this species has all the sprightly vivacity and 
agility of its congeners, and its song is a pleasing 
warble. 
About the middle of September the barn swallows 
quit the United States, on their way to their winter 
quarters in the warm regions of the south. They take 
up their abode during the winter in the West Indian 
islands and in the tropical parts of the continent of 
South America ; specimens in the British Museum 
are recorded from Nevis and Para. 
THE SEVERN SWALLOW {Ilirundo hlcolor), another 
American species, the White-bullied Swallow of 
Wilson, is less abundant than the preceding in the 
United States, and also considerably smaller. It 
measures less than six inches in length ; the whole of 
the upper parts are light, glossy, greenish blue, with the 
VoL. I. 37 
wings and tail uniform brownish black ; and the lower 
surface of the body is pure white. This species anives 
in the United States a few days later than the pre- 
ceding one, and takes its departure southwards a 
little earlier. It breeds in hollow trees, or in the 
boxes often put up for the accommodation of the 
Purple Martin ; and, unlike most of the swallows, it 
uses no mud in the composition of its nest, which is 
formed of fine dry grass, with a thick lining of soft 
downy feathers. The eggs are four or five in number, 
and pure white. These birds are said to quarrel more 
in their flight than the Barn Swallow, and in the 
spring they are seen fighting in the air for a quarter of 
an hour together, keeping up a low chattering noise all 
the time. They frequent the same localities as the 
barn swallows, and like them feed on insects; but 
Wilson states that “ for some time before their 
departure, they subsist principally on the myrtle 
berries {Myrica cerifei'a), and become extremely fat.” 
THE PURPLE MARTIN {Progne purpurea). Certain 
species of this family, all peculiar to America, are dis- 
tinguished from the other swallows by a far more 
strongly developed bill, this being more than half as 
long as the head, and considerably compressed at tlie 
bides. The tail is slightly forked, and the tarsi, as 
in the preceding swallows, ai'e scutellated, or covered 
with horny shields. The species presenting these 
characters form the genus Progne. 
The Purple Martin is an abundant and well-knoAvn 
bird in the United States and in Canada, through 
which it continues its migrations as far as the Hudson’s 
Bay territories ; it reaches the southern states of the 
American Union as early as the end of February or 
the beginning of March, but occupies considerable 
time in its dispersion over the more northern parts of 
the continent. It does not reach its northern limit 
until the month of May. Wherever it appears, the 
Purple Martin is a great favourite with the inhabitants 
of the United States, many of whom even put up 
boxes, often containing a dozen or more compartments, 
to induce these birds to build about their houses ; which, 
indeed, they are by no means loath to do ; for, like 
almost all the swallows, they always seek the habitations 
of man. In return for this general favour, the swallows 
destroy vast quantities of insects, and according to 
some accounts, they also serve the purpose of an 
alarum, for, as daybreaks, they commence an incessant 
musical chattering, which is said to be quite sufficient 
to awaken the most sleepy person. But a still more 
valuable quality possessed by the Purple Martin, is its 
inveterate hostility to all birds of prey, so that the 
vicinity of a colony of this species, is a most excellent 
protection to the poultry yard. “ The Purple Martin,” 
says Wilson, “like his half-cousin . the King-bird 
{Tyrannus intrepulus), is the terror of crows, hawks, 
and eagles. These he attacks, whenever they make 
their appearance, and with such vigour 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 flght, 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 
