. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Birds; Natural history; Oiseaux; Sciences naturelles. THE WIEE-TAILED SWALLOW. 145 Sometimes tlie Purple I^Iartins become rather presumins in tlieir familiaritv on,1 «.+ n turn tlie out of their own nest-boxos when they do^not fiS sSS Jcio^^^^^^^^ lor theinse ves. The negro, too. takes pleasure in domesticating this nSruTfTofw, ami provides for Its accommodation by fastening hollow calabashes to t^ ops of oS ],:,.,.boo canes, which are stuck in the ground for the purpose. ^ ^ ^''°^ Lik|- the swallow of England, the Purple IVIartin exhibits
. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Birds; Natural history; Oiseaux; Sciences naturelles. THE WIEE-TAILED SWALLOW. 145 Sometimes tlie Purple I^Iartins become rather presumins in tlieir familiaritv on,1 «.+ n turn tlie out of their own nest-boxos when they do^not fiS sSS Jcio^^^^^^^^ lor theinse ves. The negro, too. takes pleasure in domesticating this nSruTfTofw, ami provides for Its accommodation by fastening hollow calabashes to t^ ops of oS ],:,.,.boo canes, which are stuck in the ground for the purpose. ^ ^ ^''°^ Lik|- the swallow of England, the Purple IVIartin exhibits a great predilection for tbp spot .jvliere it has once built its nest, and will return year Jter /ear to llie beloved As is the case with many familiar birds, sucli as the robin, the sparrow and thP ,swdlow, the Purp e Martni is a most fearless and withal quarrelsome b ,1 ^eatlv dehghting in annoying any other bird that may hu ii,omc Diui, greatly liaj-pen to be larger than itself, and trusting to Its groat command of wing for impunity" Hawks of all kinds, crows, jays, and similar birds live in constant terror of the Pui'ple Martin, which no sooner sees the hateful form of a hawk or crow in the distance than it flics iit liiiu savagely, and makes such rapid and vicious pounces, that the wretched victim is i'aiu to escape as he best can from tlie attacks of his sniiiU but determined loo. Even the "iigle enjoys no immunity from the persecution of the Purple ]\Iartin, which dashes at the regal bird with as much assurance as if it were only chasing a pigeon. It is rather remarkable ': ^t although the Purple Martin will generally .r, at the king-bird, it will make "common asi> with that bird against the eagle, and unite in a temporary alliance until the com- mon enemy is driven off. Tlie Purple ]\fartin feeds mostly upon the larger insects, such as wasps, bees, and beetles, oaring little for the , ilies, and other small niseets which form the food of the g
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Keywords: ., boo, bookcentury1800, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectnaturalhistory
