somewhat, I presume, upon the season, although, from observations made in the county
of •Bentwortli in 1871, tlio birds can take caro of tliemsolves even when caught by the
most severe weather after their arrival here. In this year (1871) the birds arrived in the
town of Dundas ou tho loth day ot April and took possession of their usual nosting-
placos m boxes which had been put up tor and used hy them for some years, and iu
certain holes under eaves that they also were in tbo habit of occupying, and they devoted
themselves as usual to hawking for insects about the streets. The weather on this day
was mild, but that night it turned cold and we had hard frosts and snow until the 22nd of
April, when it beeamo warm and the birds reappeared, having been in the meantime six
days closely huddled up iu their old nests—not torpid, for they cliirpcd and would slightly
move if their box was touched or opened. They, however, lived through this, and on this
22nd of April came out and flew about as hungry and lively as usual for a day or two,
when another cold snap oecurred and they again betook themselves to their boxes
until after tho 27th of April, when they again came out and were not further troubled by
the weather for that year.’
“ I Avill only remark on this account that it appears to Imve been accurately made
and that it unites with a class of cii'cumstances which give rise to the exploded theory
of the hibernation of Swallows to indicate that they are possessed of some habits and
powers of which wo have as yet but slight knowledge, and which are doservin« of a
careful investigation.”
The accompanying note is from the pen of Mr. Ma y n a r d “ They invariably flock
to places where aecommodations are provided for them and avoid all others. The
offspring of those which have inhabited a certain locality will also return and take
up their abode there, so that a number of apartments in one box will ho constantly
occupied. If other domiciles are erected quite near tho same spot they will he inhabited,
but it is extremely difficult to induce these hirds to enter a new house it it stands a mile
or more from those occupied hy the colony ; they, therefore, arc extremely local in their
distribution. I know of localities where Martins have bred for years, while they could
never bo induced to remain in another section which was but a mile distant, although I
erected houses in suitable situations. They frequently appeared there in spring,” but
after examining the place and flying about for a day or two, invariably returned to tho
old locality. Although fond of any particular spot they may he easily driven from it.
I f a few hirds are shot in early spring upon thoir arrival, the survivors w'ill disappear
and cannot be persuaded to reinhahit the house from which they have been expelled,
even after tho lapse of many years. Accidents occurring, which are detrimental to them,”
although not caused through the agency of man, appear to produce the same effect.
Some years ago the Purple Martins, which bred in many boxes in Cambridge, arrived
from the soutli quite early, induood hy unusually warm weather, and took possession of
their respective domiciles, but unfortunately the instincts wliioh prompted them to
come north so soon were at fault, for they were scarcely established in their summer
houses when a prolonged cold snap came on aud many of the poor Martins were frozen
to death in thoir houses. Tbo remainder left at once and there have been no hirds of
this kind found nesting in that section of Cambridge since.
“ Tho Purple Martin is tho only SwaUow with which I am aoquaintcd that wiU
readily perch on trees w-hieh are covered with foliage, alighting amid tho leaves after the
manner of nearly all the Passerine birds, but they never hop from twig to twig. The
song of tho Martin is loud and olioorful; in autumn, when they are more generally distributed
than at other times, those clear notes frequently reach the ear w-hcn tho birds
are almost invisible, as they sail high in tbe air with a strong and graceful flight. Early
in September these birds migrate south, but do not remain in Florida all winter, and
not one is to be seen in tho State after tho 1st of November.”
The figures in the Plate have been drawn from specimens in the Salvin-Godman
oollection, and the descriptions are taken from examples in the British Museum.
Por the geographical distribution of this species, vide snprd, Plate 81 [Map],