32 METHODS OF ATTRACTING BIRDS 



two and one eighth inches across, and was old 

 enough and time-colored enough to please any 

 bird visitors." It was placed in the crotch of a 

 dead peach tree nine feet from the ground. It 

 was about ten feet from the house and near a 

 path in constant use. Two young birds were suc- 

 cessfully reared. 



Sparrow Hawk, — In the spring of 1910 a 

 pair of sparrow hawks occupied one of Mr. Pel- 

 lett's nesting-boxes, in which, at the time of the 

 last report received by the author, five eggs had 

 been laid. 



Purple Martin, — The purple martin is com- 

 mon in the South, where gourds and boxes are 

 put out for its use. In the North, however, it is 

 rather rare and very local in its distribution, and 

 has been decreasing for quite a number of years, 

 partly on account of unfavorable seasons, but 

 chiefly, it is probable, on account of the English 

 sparrows. One of the chief causes for the disap- 

 pearance of the martin from many localities, was 

 the cold, wet June of 1903. The birds found it 

 impossible to secure food for their young, so that 

 many nestlings, as well as adults, perished. Be- 

 fore that year, however, the martin had been 

 decreasing on account of the persecutions of the 



