° F B I R D S. arr 
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I Martins discover great dexterity in 
I! boring their holes in the fand, and perform the 
talk with furprifing quicknefs, confldering tJie 
j feeble inftruments they employ ; indeed it is vvon- 
1 derful how fo weak, and tender a bill, can perfo- 
] rate the bank at all. 
They have a peculiar manner of flying, flitting 
ji about with odd jerks, like the motions of a butt 
j terfly. 
I hey are the fmallefl of the genus Hirundo, 
except, perhaps, the Efculent Swallow. 
The PURPLE SWALLOW. 
The plumage is of a beautiful violet colour, and the tail 
forked. 
It inhabits Carolina and Virginia, appearing in 
May, and retiring on the approach of winter. 
The common people are very fond of this fpe- 
cies, and place boards and other conveniences for 
them to build upon, as fome do for Sparrows in 
England. Fhefe little birds requite their kind- 
nefs, by delivering them from flies and infe&s, and 
by alarming their poultry upon the approach of 
Hawks, and other birds of prey, which they at¬ 
tack with great fpirit. 
