E5001

Purple Martin

Beloved Songbird

Collins Cover Announcement 

Purple Martin

The purple martin is the largest member of the swallow family found in North America. These beautiful birds spend Tilie non-breeding season in Brazil but migrate to North America to nest. Their diet consists solely of insets including flies and dragonflies.

East of the Mississippi River the purple martins are dependent on wooden bird houses. Some Indian tribes and later conservationists were successful in attracting the birds by hanging gourd bird houses from poles. This is the subject I chose for my cachet, and the watercolored scene of the purple martin flock is very attractive. The first day of issue postmark is Mulberry, Florida, and I am pleased to announce this interesting wildlife hard painted cachet. Collins #E5001 at $14.00.