43 



been placed too late, incubation being only about one-half 

 complete when the young swallows appeared. 



The experiment tried by Mr. Horton came very near 

 success and I give his report in full which he copied from 

 his daily record. Mr. Horton used to have a large colony of 

 Purple Martins, but in 1903, all were killed or driven away 

 by adverse weather conditions. For three years Tree Swal- 

 lows (Iridoproone licolor) had occupied the old martin-house. 

 In the nests of these birds Mr. Horton wished to place Mar- 

 tin eggs. 



MR. HORTONS' REPORT: 



May 31, 1907, Receive four Purple Martin eggs from J. War- 

 ren Jacobs, Waynesburg, Pa. 



June 1, 1907, I find six Tree Swallow eggs in nest. Remove 

 four eggs and place the four Martin eggs in 

 nest. 



June 6, 1907, Remove the other two Tree Swallow eggs, 

 leaving the four martin eggs only. 



June 11, 1907, Swallows sitting on eggs, — O. K. 



June 15, 1907, Eggs not hatched. 



June 16, 1907, 7:00 a. m. Find one egg hatched. 



June 16, 1907, 6:00 p. m. Find two more eggs hatched. 



June 17, 1907, 7:00 a. m. Find the other egg hatched. 



June 19, 1907, Visit the young Martins this morning; find 

 them doing well. 



June 22, 1907, Visit Martins this morning, find them grow- 

 ing and looking fine. Eyes not open yet and 

 not a feather started. Foster parents feed- 

 ing them nicely. 



June 24, 1907, 6:00 a. m. Visit young Martins. Find them 

 progressing finely. Feathers begin to show 

 under the skin. Eyes just beginning to open. 

 Young birds being well cared for. 



June 25, 1907, a. m. Find Martins' eyes about one-third 

 open; feathers just begin to protrude through 

 skin. 



June 26, 1907, 6:30 a. m. Young Martins' eyes open; feath- 

 ers well started through skin; tail feathers 

 show quite a little. All four young are plump 

 and fat. Foster parents giving them best of 

 care. 



June 29, 1907, 7:00 a. m. Visit the martin-house; find no 

 young Martins in nest; find one on ground un- 



