49 



Note — In my opinion the birds avoided the lower part of 

 the house on account of the branch stubs supporting the same, 

 especially if new leaves and twigs were allowed to start out on 

 these. This is a pretty effect in mounting a bird house, but 

 new branches growing up around, and obscuring the box will 

 eventually cause the birds to abandon it. It also exposes the 

 nests to greater danger from cats, and other destructive animals 

 and snakes. I might say, however, regarding the birds' prefer- 

 ring the upper stories, that in new boxes the upper rooms are 

 usually first selected, and as the colony grows the lower floor 

 rooms are filled. 



(J.W.J.) 



Poxtiac, Michigan, August 5, 1909. 

 Mr. J. Warren Jacobs, 

 Dear Sir: 



Early in the Spring about fifty martins came to the old house of 

 ten rooms. The house was placed on a dead hickory tree, cut down 

 to. about nineteen feet in height. 



Fearing that some of the birds would locate elsewhere, we were 

 very anxious to get the house ordered from you. It came promptly. 

 It is prettier, and made more substantial and at less cost than a car- 

 penter would make it here. For appearance, convenience and safety 

 the iron-hinged pole is also of greater advantage. 



The martins took possession immediately. Then followed three 

 weeks of cold stormy weather. 



One night we saw them huddled together against the doorways. 

 The next morning only seven were in sight. These seven would circle 

 and flutter around the house, in a distressed sort of way. 



We placed food on high poles and scattered bits of suet on a pan 

 of water, hoping they could skim over it and get enough to sustain life, 

 but it was probably of no use. Five died. Two — apparently strong, 

 beautiful birds — we found on the ground. We took them into the 

 house, opened their bills and fed them warm milk and a little prepared 

 food. They seemed to brighten up for two days, but they were too 

 chilled and exhausted to survive. 



When mild weather returned a flock of martins came and filled 

 twenty-five rooms. The ever watchful sparrows had taken the re- 

 maining two rooms. A red-headed woodpecker had captured one of 



