27 



weeks' constant care by the foster parents, Mr. Horton found 

 something had killed all the young birds and carried three 

 of them away. 



Mr. Kingsbury made another effort to establish the birds 

 last year, by raising by hand, six young birds I sent him 

 from my own and Mr. Reese's colonies. He stated that it 

 was wonderful the number of insects these youngsters de- 

 voured, one of his farm hands occupying his entire time in 

 tending their wants. Two of the birds died, one escaped, 

 and the remaining three were seen with a flock of Swallows 

 some days after they were liberated. He may see the re- 

 turn of these birds the coming spring. * 



The White Race is not wholly responsible for the House 

 Martin evolving in its nesting habits from the natural cavi- 

 ties in trees and cliffs to the elegant home-like nesting boxes 

 with which it is now provided. True, the white man's high 

 state of civilization and culture has perfected the scheme, 

 but to the American Indian, who loved and honored this bird, 

 must the credit be given for first providing rudely construct- 

 ed receptacles for its accommodation. 



Waynesburg, Pa., February, 1908. 



*In a letter from Mr. Kingsbury, dated June 3, 1908, he says: 



"Last Friday, May 29th, a half dozen Martins came to the house on 

 the barn and inspected it, resting on the roof for perhaps fifteen minutes. 

 I expected them next day, and have looked for them ever since, but they 

 have not appeared." 



Later — Dec. 4, 1908 — Mr. Kingsbury wrote that after the short visit 

 mentioned above, he 8aw nothing of the birds. 



There is a possibility of one or two of these birds being a part of the 

 bunch of nestlings reared by Mr. Kingsbury the preceding summer, but, 

 having associated themselves with older birds, they were enticed away from 

 his premises to their own accustomed houses. 



December, 1908. 



