where they can rest on the dead branches of tree-tops ; but 

 sometimes on buildings and telephone wires. 



This flock is augmented daily by new broods as they are old 

 enough to quit their respective boxes, until, by the middle oi 

 August, hundreds, sometimes reaching well above the thousand 

 mark, are to be seen. They do not remain together all day 

 long but separate in several companies and visit their respec- 

 tive homes ; and if there happens to be a late brood still in a 

 box, particular attention is given to it in an effort to induce 

 the young to join their ranks. 



It seems strange that birds which brave the early spring 

 squalls and cold snaps, as do the martins, should leave for 

 their southern sojourn almost in mid-summer. But such is 

 the case, and by the 20th. of August, some seasons, the bulk 

 of the birds of this vicinity have departed, and by the last 

 of the month all are gone. Only on two occasions have I re- 

 corded the birds in September. 



Following are my records by years commencing with 1896: 



1896. — Bulk left to day, 17th. August. One young did not leave 

 its nest until 29th., and after 31st. neither it nor the old 

 brids were seen. 



1897. — August 16th., noted flock of one thousand or twelve 

 hundred martins, which had been gathering in force since 

 July 25th., and lingering along the creek, perched in the 

 dead tops of trees. Aug. 17th. only twenty birds seen and 

 on the 2 1 st. six were noted. 



August 27th., a few noted each day up to date when a 

 flock of about one hundred birds were seen over town. 



1898. — Agust 28th.; up to this time the gathering flocks have 

 escaped my observation, since about the 5th. or 6th., when 

 I saw a flock of about two hundred birds. The flock seen 

 on the 28th., numbered between seven hundred and eight 

 hundred birds, and were seen soaring about and resting 

 on the telephone wires and cross arms along E. High St. 

 On the 29th, a scattering flock of thirty were observed : 

 and as late as September 4th., nine of these still lingered 



