English

A purple martin.

Noun

purple martin ‎(plural purple martins)

1. The largest North American swallow, Progne subis.
   • 1831, James Rennie, The Architecture of Birds, page 343:

     This practice of harbouring and protecting the purple martin does not appear to be of European origin, as the aboriginal Americans had adopted a similar practice from time immemorial.

   • 1871, Samuel Orchart Beeton, Beeton's Dictionary of natural history, page 193:

     The American purple martin (Progne purpurea) is a visitor to North America, where it arrives in Fehruary at New Orleans, and Boston towards the end of April.

   • 2013, Bill Thompson, Southern Birds: Backyard Guide:

     Female and young purple martins are gray and black with some blue on the back.

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