90 



Stripping a freshly cut pole of its bark will cause it to check badly 

 with season cracks. To prevent this apply two coats of good lead or 

 other paint mixed with linseed oil. 



FIGURE 21 

 Another view of Mr. Way's Martin house, showing it to be some 

 distance from the group of trees seen in the first picture, therefore 

 the snakes could not have used the trees in reaching the house, or 

 probably, even in locating it. 



Easton, Md., September 19, 1910. 



I enclose herewith another later photograph of my Martin house, which I think 

 is a better view of the house than the one from the same position sent with my last 

 communication. 



I am taking my house in for the winter, its present position being only a temporary 

 one, and I will order an iron pole of yon to place it on next spring. I should have done 

 this in the beginning, but as my grounds were not permanently arranged I decided to 

 use the wooden pole merely for this season. Probably I shall also order another house 

 for a different location. 



I find there are many Purple Martins in this county, and next season I shall take 

 the trouble to hunt up some of the principal colonies and obtain photographs of them. 

 Shortly after 1 wrote you last 1 found a very large colony in a small settlement of colored 



