Martin Birds

Martins are a group of passerine birds in the family Hirundinidae which are characterised by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Martins hunt insects on the wing by using their slender streamlined body, and long pointed wings, which allows great maneuverability and endurance.

It is believed that this family originated in Africa as hole-nesters; Africa still has the greatest diversity of species. Martins have short bills, but strong jaws and a wide gape. Their body length ranges from about 10-24 cm (3.9-9.4 in) and their weight from about 10-60 g (0.4-2.1 oz). The wings are long, pointed, and have nine primary feathers. The tail has 12 feathers and may be forked, indented, or square-ended. A long tail increases maneuverability, and may also function as a sexual adornment, since the tail is frequently longer in males. The legs are short, and their feet are designed for perching rather than walking, as the front toes are partially joined at the base, causing the bird to display a waddling gait.

The most common plumage is glossy dark blue or green above and plain or streaked underparts, often white or rufous. Species which burrow or live in dry or mountainous areas are often unglossed brown above (eg Sand Martin and Crag Martin). The sexes show no, or only limited, sexual dimorphism, with longer outer tail feathers in the adult male probably being the commonest distinction where one exists.

Authors

George Raymond Richard Martin – (born September 20, 1948) sometimes referred to as GRRM, is a multiple Hugo and Nebula award winning American author and screenwriter of fantasy, horror, and science fiction. He is best known for his A Song of Ice and Fire series.

Athletes

Charles Martin (b. 8/31/1959)  was a professional American football player, who is best known for his days with the Green Bay Packers.Martin was most (in)famous for causing a season-ending injury to Chicago Bears starting quarterback Jim McMahon on 1986-11-23, an event that many fans blame for their failure to defend the 1985 Super Bowl title. A reference to this hit was made during his eulogy.

Unique

Buster Martin (b. 09/01/1906) – is believed to be the United Kingdom’s oldest employee at the age of 101. Martin works for Pimlico Plumbers in London as a van cleaner, and notably refused to take a day off on his 100th birthday. Martin stated that he will not retire from working.

After completing the Great Capital Run (10km) in July 2007 in 2 hours 22 minutes and the Roding Valley half marathon in Essex on 2 March 2008 in 5 hours 13 minutes, Martin is due to participate in the 2008 London Marathon. If he completes the 26 mile course, he will be the oldest recorded marathon participant in the world

Entertainers

Sir George Henry Martin (b. 1/3/1926) is a British record producer, arranger and composer. He is sometimes referred to as “the Fifth Beatle”-a title that he owes to his work as producer of almost all of The Beatles’ records as well as playing piano on some Beatle tracks.During, and after, his work with The Beatles, Martin produced many other international acts through his Associated Independent Recording (AIR) company, which has studios in London and Montserrat.

In recognition of his services to the music industry and popular culture, he was made a Knight Bachelor in 1996. He is the father of producer Giles Martin, and actor Gregory Paul Martin.

Saint Martin Island

Saint Martin Island – A tropical island in the northeast Caribbean, approximately 300 km east of Puerto Rico. The 87 km² island is divided roughly in half between France and the Netherlands Antilles; it is the smallest inhabited sea island divided between two nations.

Entertainers

Steve Martin (b. 8/14/1945)  An American comedian, actor, writer, playwright, producer, musician and composer.  Seve Martin is a comic who successfully made the transition from a zany stand-up act to ridiculous film comedies to dramatic film roles to leading man status. 

He is a Grammy Award Winner for Best Comedy Album for Let’s Get Small 1978 & for A Wild and Crazy Guy 1979.  He also won a Grammy for Best Country Instrumental Performance in Earl Scruggs and Friends video for “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.”

Entertainers

Hugh Martin – (b. 8/11/1914) An American theatre and film composer, arranger, performer, vocal coach, and playwright.  Best known for his score for the classic 1944 musical Meet Me In St. Louis, in which Judy Garland sang three Martin songs, “The Boy Next Door,” “The Trolley Song“, and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

Authors

Dr. James Martin – Nominated for a Pulitzer prize for his book, The Wired Society: A Challenge for Tomorrow.   He was also the primary author of the Rapid Application Development methodology.  He gave $100 million in 2005 to help establish The James Martin 21st Century School at the University of Oxford.  He lives on his own private island, Agar’s Island, in Bermuda. According to Computerworld’s 25th anniversary issue, he was ranked fourth among the 25 individuals who have most influenced the world of computer science.

Musicians & Entertainers

Dean Martin – (b. 6/7/1917) Born Dino Paul Crocetti.  an American singer, film actor, and comedian. He was one of the most famous music artists in the 1950s and 1960s. His hit singles included the songs “Memories Are Made Of This”, “That’s Amore”, “Everybody Loves Somebody”, “Mambo Italiano”, “Sway”, “Volare” and “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head”. He was a major star in all four areas of show business: concert stage, recordings, motion pictures, and television.

Eric Martin – (b. 10/10/1960) Former vocalist of rock band, Mr. Big.

Marilyn Martin – (b. 5/4/1954) Sang with Phil Collins on the American #1 power ballad duet “Separate Lives”.  She sang “Sorcerer”, written by Stevie Nicks, for the 1984 film Streets of Fire.  She sang backing vocals for Madonna on her 1989 hit song “Cherish”. 

Max Martin – (b. 2/26/1971) Born Martin Karl Sandberg.  A Grammy-nominated, Swedish pop-dance music producer and songwriter.  He produced and/or wrote a string of worldwide hits for pop artists like the clean-cut boy bands The Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC, Britney Spears, Swedish starlet Robyn, the Swedish eurodance star E-Type, and Kelly Clarkson, ect.

Ricky Martin – (b. 12/24/1971) Born Enrique Martín Morales.  Grammy Award and Latin Grammy Award-winning Puerto Rican pop singer who rose to fame, first as a member of the Latin boy band Menudo.  He has sold almost 48 million albums around the world, charting twenty one top-ten hits on the U.S. Latin Charts, eight of which reached number one, and a total of over thirty hit singles.

Tony Martin (b. 12/25/1912)- Born Alvin Morris.  An American actor and traditional pop singer.  He was a featured vocalist on the George Burns and Gracie Allen radio program.  He appeared in many film musicals in the 1940s and 1950s.