53 



On City, Pa., August i<Sth, 1909. 

 Dear Mr. Jacobs: 



Your letter came duly to hand having been forwarded to me in 

 the west. I was absent from July 24th until August 13th and during 

 that time the young birds must have come out. In the last three or 

 four days the only time I have seen the martins is in the evening. 

 There are about a dozen that seem to come back to stay over night in 

 the house. 



I presume they will soon fly away for the winter. I am going to 

 try next year for a much larger colony, as I have had much pleasure, 

 and my family, too, have watched them with much interest this sum- 

 mer. 



Very truly, 



S. Y. Ramage. 



The accompanying illustration is from a photograph taken two 

 hours after putting up a style ,s house on the residence grounds of 

 Frank L. Black, West Elrrj St., Waynesburg, Pa., May, 1909. 



Mr. Black has had two flourishing 

 colonies of martins for several years, both 

 houses being built by the writer. The box 

 here reproduced was erected in place of one 

 (a style 2) which had been up continuously 

 for eight years. In making the exchange of 

 houses, twenty-four martins were routed 

 out of the old house, but all soon settled on 

 the new one although of entirely different 

 pattern. Sixteen of the birds had come to 

 the house before the men were done adjust- 

 ing the pole. 



( )nly one other house was put up for 



VVaynesburg citizens this year. This was at 



' 'Morningside", the beautiful suburban home 



of A. I. Cooke, southeast of town. This is a new location and the birds 



were late in taking possession. Seven pairs built nests and reared 



young. 



The following cut is a style No. 7 martin house in position, 

 purchased by Mr. George P. Perry, Sterling, 111., March, 1909. 

 Under date of July 28, 1909, Mr. Perry writes: 



