156 
PURPLE MARTIN. 
or for the protection of their young, were victorious. The 
Martins regularly arrived about the middle of May, for 
the eight following years, examined the apartments of the 
box, in the absence of the Blue Birds, but were uniformly 
compelled to fly upon the return of the latter. 
“ The trouble caused you by reading this note you will be 
pleased to charge to the Martin. A box replete with that 
beautiful traveller, is not very distant from my bed-head. 
Their notes seem discordant because of their numbers ; yet to 
me they are pleasing. The industrious farmer and mechanic 
would do well to have a box fixed near the apartments of 
their drowsy labourers. Just as the dawn approaches, the 
Martin begins its notes, which last half a minute or more ; 
and then subside until the twilight is fairly broken. An 
animated and incessant musical chattering now ensues, suffi- 
cient to arouse the most sleepy person. Perhaps chanticleer is 
not their superior in this beneficial qualification; and he is far 
beneath the Martin in his powers of annoying birds of prey.” 
I shall add a few particulars to this faithful and interesting 
sketch by my deceased friend : — About the middle, or 20th, of 
April, the Martins first begin to prepare their nest. The 
last of these which I examined, was formed of dry leaves of 
the weeping willow, slender straws, hay, and feathers in 
considerable quantity. The eggs were four, very small for 
the size of the bird, and pure white, without any spots. The 
first brood appears in May, the second late in July. During 
the period in which the female is laying, and before she com- 
mences incubation, they are both from home the greater part 
of the day. When the female is sitting, she is frequently 
visited by the male, who also occupies her place while she 
takes a short recreation abroad. He also often passes a 
quarter of an hour in the apartment beside her, and has 
become quite domesticated since her confinement. He sits 
on the outside dressing and arranging his plumage, occa- 
sionally passing to the door of the apartment as if to inquire 
how she does. His notes, at this time, seem to have assumed 
