north-east corner, fronting on First street, and one on the 

 south-west corner, fronting on Washington street. Our resid- 

 ence is on the north-west corner of the plot, fronting on Frist 

 and Washington streets, and surrounded by a lawn dotted with 

 roses, shrubs and evergreen trees. Back of the lawn is a 

 garden spot, two vine arbors and a number of fruit trees. 

 Along the curb on both Washington and First streets we have 

 rows of maple shade trees. 



Although surrounded on three sides by properties affording 

 little or no encouragement to birds, other than English Spar- 

 rows, our premises have always been a favorite spot for many 

 species. We have nesting annually in our own trees or along the 

 creek bank adjacent, Robin, Cardinal, Catbird, Carolina Wren, 

 Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow. Yellow Warbler, Warbling 

 Yireo, Mourning Dove, Kingbird, Flicker, Baltimore Oriole and 

 Red-headed Woodpecker. Other species which I have known to 

 nest occasionally are Americon Goldfinch, Crested Flycatcher, 

 Downy Woodpecker, Orchard Oriole, Cedar Waxwing, Bronzed 

 Crackle, Bewick's Wren, Barn and Cliff Swallows, Pheobe, Wood 

 Pewee, Bluebird (regularly from 1886 to 1890) and Black-cap- 

 ped Chickadee, (1901, brood of four reared in a post of our 

 grape arbor.) About twenty-five other species, such as Tufted 

 Tit, Bank Swallow, Screech Owl, Cuckoos, Sparrow Hawk, 

 Kingfisher, Woodcock, Towbee, Sandpiper, etc., have been ob- 

 served on and about the place. 



The presence of so many species is due, perhaps, to the coun- 

 try lying to the southward, being open pasture and waste land, 

 affording an easy retreat and fine feeding ground. It is over 

 this ground and along the creek where my martins spend most 

 of their time foraging for food. 



Establishment and Subsequent Increase of the Colony. 



In the spring of 1896, when I constructed the first of the three 

 bird-houses which harbor my present colony of Purple Mar- 



