47 



In the Middle States, west of the Appalachian Mountains, and in 

 the Central States, there seems to be an abundance of the Purple Martin, 

 the states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois being favored 

 with the largest numbers. In Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and 

 Missouri are many flourishing colonies. Western New York, New 

 Jersey and northeastern Pennsylvania seem to be blessed with widely 

 scattered colonies; but then I have a scarcity of correspondence from 

 these sections, which may be cause for a wrong presumption in these 

 cases. From evidence contained in the correspondence from this 

 region and from the New England States, the Spring of 1909 was very 

 backward, delaying agricultural pursuits on account of ice and frost. 

 Among the letters calling attention to this fact is that of Mr. Daniel 

 C. Robinson, Manchester, Maine, given in full below. His statement 

 that some of the birds occupied his new bird house all summer but did 

 not attempt to nest, proves further that weather interruptions dis- 

 courage the martins in their parental duties, to the extent of passing 

 the summer season without rearing broods. 



It will also be remembered (See "Gleanings No. 5," page 37) that Mr. 

 Robinson experimented, last year, in moving a whole colony of martins 

 several miles, and although the parents deserted the young, many of 

 which died, he succeeded in rearing some of the nestlings and these 

 are undoubtedly the birds occupying his boxes this year. 



The following letters, in whole or in part, are from persons who 

 seemed to have the best success in inducing the birds to occupy their 

 new boxes. Halftone reproductions are given where photos were 

 submitted. 



Manchester, Me., August 3, 1909. 

 My dear Air. Jacobs: 



I am pleased to acknowledge receipt of j^our recent letter and to 

 say that the Purple Martins came to my three houses this season very 

 much to the joy of my family and neighbors. As I have written you, 

 I think, I put up a house two years ago but none came. This season 

 I put up the house I bought of you. I also put up one that I made at 

 the farm house near by. The martins were very late in arriving this 

 year all over the state as the spring and summer were very late — plant- 

 ing being fully a month behind usual time. But at last the birds ap- 

 peared, first about my houses on the shore of the lake in a grove, and 

 then at the farm house some 500 feet away. They were very lively 

 .and chirping and calling each other, but for two or three weeks they 



