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none around here at all until after the middle of April, and still none 

 came to the house. April passed, and May came and passed, and I 

 had despaired of having any birds at all, as I supposed that they were 

 all settled somewhere else. But about the middle of June a couple of 

 prospectors came and took a look at the house, and were apparently 

 very well pleased with appearances, and in a few days more came. 

 But in the meantime the English sparrows had not been idle, and had 

 built one or two nests in it. When the martins came around, the 

 sparrows laid low and did not have very much to say. So the martins 

 took immediate possession, and I think there were two nests built, 

 but perhaps only one; but sometimes now I can count as high as ten 

 martins on the house at one time. I am sure that I will have a fine 

 colony next year, as they now have it located, and will come early in 

 the spring. Every one who sees the house admires it, and say it is 

 the finest the}' ever saw. If I can get a satisfactory snap shot of the 

 birds I will be pleased to send you a picture. If I cannot get it this 

 season, I will be sure to get it next year. The next time I get any 

 ways near your city I want to call and see you, as I would be glad to 

 meet you, and also see the large bird colonies you have there. 



Very truly, 



Walter Donaghho. 



Parkersburg, W. Va., September n, 1909. 



Mr. J. Warren Jacobs, Waynesburg, Pa. 

 Dear Sir: 



Inclosed please find photo of my martin house in position with 

 birds on it, and flying around it. This was taken on the 22nd of 

 August, some time before the martins left here. They seem to stay 

 here longer than with you, as I saw a pair here as late as Saturday, 

 September 4th. I have seen none since that time. I have derived a 

 great deal of enjoyment from the society of the martins this season, 

 and hope to have a large colony of them next season. I am going to 

 take the house down this fall, give it a cleaning out and put it in the 

 dry until next spring, as I do not want the English sparrows to occupy 

 it this winter to its detriment. 



Very truly, 



Walter Donaghho. 



Mr. Donaghho's bird house is shown on following page. 



