232 



SCIENCE OF HOME AND COMMUNITY 



Martin. While most birds prefer a house with a single 

 apartment, the martins prefer to live together in colonies; 

 so that for them houses are made with a number of rooms. 

 Each dimension of the room should be 6 to 7 inches. The 



opening should be 

 about 2- inches 

 across. 



Putting out the 

 house. In putting 

 out the house one 

 needs to consider five 

 things: the time, the 

 location, the height, 

 the method of fasten- 

 ing, and the protec- 

 tion from enemies. 

 The house should be 

 put out early in the 

 spring just before the 

 bird is expected to re- 

 turn. Bluebirds 

 and wrens both rear 

 two broods ; so that 

 houses put out in the 

 late spring may be 

 in time for the second 

 brood. 



Houses should be placed out in the open, for birds will 

 not use them so frequently if they are placed in the dense 

 shade. Telephone poles and grape arbors make good 

 situations. Houses may also be placed on trees if they 

 stand out by themselves, separate from other trees. The 

 best height for the house is 8 to 15 feet. The house should 

 be fastened so that it is secure against the winds, but so 

 that it can be easily taken down and cleaned. Some have a 



FIG. 86. A martin house. 



