36 
HIRUNDO PURPUREA. 
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, 
sufficient to arouse the most sleepy person. Perhaps 
chanticleer is not their superior in this beneficial quali- 
fication ; 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 
commences incubation, they are both from home the 
greater part of the day. Wffi n 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 apart- 
ment beside her, and has become quite domesticated 
since her confinement. He sits on the outside dressing 
and arranging his plumage, occasionally passing to the 
door of the apartment as if to inquire how she does. 
His notes, at this time, seem to have assumed a peculiar 
softness, and his gratulations are expressive of much 
tenderness. Conjugal fidelity, even where there is a 
number together, seems to be faithfully preserved by 
these birds. On the 25th of May, a male and female 
martin took possession of a box in Mr Bartram’s garden. 
A day or two after, a second female made her appear- 
ance, and staid for several days ; but, from the cold 
reception she met with, being frequently beat off by 
