PURPLE MARTIN. 
599 
they visit the vicinity of Boston, and penetrate even 
to the cold regions of Hudson’s Bay, where they arrive 
in May, and retire in August ; about the 20th of the 
same month they also leave the state of Pennsylvania. 
In their haste to return to their natal climes, they some- 
times expose themselves to fatal accidents from change- 
ble and unfavorable weather. In the maritime parts of 
Massachusetts, and probably throughout the state, a few 
years ago, after a rainy midsummer, many were found 
dead in their boxes, and they have since been far less 
numerous than formerly. 
This beautiful species, like many others of the fam- 
ily, seeks out the dwellings of man, associating him- 
self equally with the master and the slave, the colonist 
and the aboriginal. To him it is indifferent, whether 
his mansion be carved and painted, or humbled into the 
hospitable shell of the calabash or gourd. Secure of an 
asylum for his mate and young, while under the protec- 
tion of man, he twitters forth his gratitude, and is ev- 
ery where welcomed to a home. So eager is he to claim 
this kind of protection, that sometimes he ventures hos- 
tilities with the Blue-Birds and domestic Pigeons, whom 
he often forces to abandon their hereditary claims. Satis- 
fied with their reception and success, like so many con- 
tented and faithful domestics, they return year after year 
to the same station. The services of the Martin in 
driving away Hawks and Crows from the premises he 
claims, are also important inducements for favor ; he 
has even the courage to attack the redoubtable King- 
Bird, when his visits are too familiar near the nest. 
At the approaching dawn, the merry Martin begins 
his lively twitter, which, continuing for half a minute, 
subsides until the twilight is fairly broken. To this pre- 
lude succeeds an animated and incessant musical chat- 
