After having migrated to Central and South America for the winter, martins return each spring to North America. Some have been seen in summer as far north as the Saskatchewan valley in Canada.
The forked tails, wide wings, and the way they catch their food while flying identify these eight-inch birds as part of the swallow family. There are several species, including the house martin, the sand martin and the purple martin, which is the one we will focus on today.
The males of the purple martin species are a beautiful dark purplish-blue color all over. The females are much the same, but the undersides of their bodies are light colored. These birds nest in colonies with each pair raising three to eight young birds.
Because they are great insect eaters, purple martins have earned the friendship of farmers and people who live in the suburbs. Some place martin houses on tall supports near their homes or barns to keep these welcome insect-eating “neighbors” nearby. Some of these martin houses allow space for fifty nests or more. There is an interesting trait about the martins living in these “apartment” houses. Most houses have adjoining balconies where the parent birds like to alight and perch before entering their own apartment. The baby birds, not yet able to fly, sometimes hop about on these balconies. After exploring, they forget which hole they came from and often enter a neighbor’s apartment by mistake. Strangely enough, parent martins do not seem to be able to recognize their own chicks, and these “neighborhood chicks” are accepted and cared for as part of their family.
Although martins do not like other birds as close neighbors, sparrows do not share this trait. If there is an opportunity, a sparrow will move into a martin’s apartment and chase the true owner away. If this happened in most bird species, they would work together to keep the intruder out. But the martin is not a fighter, so it meekly accepts the loss of its home to the smaller thief.
Our opening verse tells us of the happy season of the year when winter’s cold, dark days are over, flowers are showing their pretty colors, and birds are returning from their migrations. It is similar to the happy time when a boy or girl or grown-up places their trust in the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. The dark times are left behind, and the reality of being a Christian brings a joy many times happier than even the yearly return of spring. Have you had this experience by accepting the Lord Jesus as your Saviour?
ML-03/31/2002