PURPLE MARTIN. 
155 
particularly of Chili ; and, in consequence, from the knowledge 
we have of its immense emigration northward in our own 
country, we may fairly presume that its flight extends to the 
south as far as Terra del Fuego. If the conjecture be well 
founded, we may, with some certainty, place this useful and 
delightful companion and friend of the human race as the 
first in the order of birds of passage. Nature has furnished it 
with a long, strong, and nervous pinion ; its legs are short, 
too, so as not to impede its passage ; the head and body are 
flattish ; in short, it has every indication, from bodily forma- 
tion, that Providence intended it as a bird of the longest flight. 
Belknap speaks of it as a visitant of New Hampshire. I have 
seen it in great numbers at Quebec. Hearne speaks of it in 
lat. 60° degrees north. To ascertain the times of the coming 
of the Martin to New Orleans, and its migration to and from 
Mexico, Quito, and Chili, are desirable data in the history of 
this bird ; but it is probable that the state of science in those 
countries renders this wish hopeless. 
“ Relative to the domestic history, if it may be so called, of 
the Blue Bird (of which you have given so correct and charming 
a description) and the Martin, permit me to give you an anec- 
dote : — In 1800 I removed from Lancaster to a farm a few 
miles above Harrisburgh. Knowing the benefit derivable to 
a farmer from the neighbourhood of the Martin, in preventing 
the depredations of the Bald Eagle, the Hawks, and even 
the Crows, my carpenter was employed to form a large box, 
with a number of apartments for the Martin. The box was 
put up in the autumn. Near and around the house were a 
number of well grown apple-trees and much shrubbery, — a 
very fit haunt for the feathered race. About the middle of 
February, the Blue Birds came; in a short time they were 
very familiar, and took possession of the box : these consisted 
of two or three pairs. By the 15th of May, the Blue Birds 
had eggs, if not young. Now the Martins arrived in num- 
bers, visited the box, and a severe conflict ensued. The 
Blue Birds, seemingly animated by their right of possession, 
