100 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



2. Q. Do you think a house constructed in the form of a hollow square, 

 with 10 or 12 inches of air space between the pole and the inner walls of the 

 house, would he a good form to adopt? A. I have never known this to be 

 tried; it might make the house somewhat cooler in hot weather. 



3. Q. What should be the size of each room? Please give length, breadth 

 and height. A. Tliis is not very important, if the rooms are large enough, 

 — not less than 6 or 7 inches square. 



4. Q. Do more than one pair of martins occupy {or attempt to) each room? 

 A. Only one pair. Sometimes more than one may attempt it. 



5. Q. What distance should the house be from the ground? A. Tliis is not 

 very material, but I believe that it should not be less than 12 feet. Martin 

 houses have been placed on tall poles on the tops of business blocks in 

 Chicago and elsewhere. 



6. Q. What is the proper size and shape of the entrance hole? Please give 

 diameter, if round, height and width, if rectangular. A. The width of en- 

 trance hole should not be over 2 or 2f inches. It may be a little higher 

 if rectangular, but not much. 



7. Q. Woidd an additional hole to admit light, when the entrance hole was 

 obstructed by the bird's body, be an advantage, and if so, xohat diameter should 

 the hole be and where should it be located in each room? A. No, when the 

 holes are made 2 inches or more in diameter the martins get Ught enough 

 when they look in, so there is no need for an extra hole. If it is much less, 

 they are not likely to use the house, as they cannot see in, and they seem 

 to be afraid of a dark hole. (See page 91 in regard to martins and 

 starUngs.) 



8. Q. Which is the best, a continuous alighting board or shelf extending 

 entirely around the house, one for each story, or individual shelves for each 

 entrance? A. I believe that this is immaterial, except that the continuous 

 shelf is more likely to prevent the young birds from falhng out. 



9. Q. Should these shelves be flush with the bottom of the entrance hole or 

 below it; if below it, how far? A. Have them flush with the bottom of the 

 entrance. 



10. Q. Should the bottom of the entrance hole be flush with the floor of each 

 room inside or above it; if above, how far? A. Have it flush ■with the floor. 

 It is then easy to clean out, and the birds like it just as well. 



11. Q. How far from the house shoxdd the alighting shelves extend? A. 

 Three inches will do. 



12. Q. Is there any choice in color for a martin house? A. White is best 

 because it does not "draw the heat". 



13. Q. Would decoy birds carved from ivood and painted to resemble mar- 

 tins serve to attract the birds? A. So far as I know, this never has been 

 tried. 



14. Q. Would an auxiliary roof placed above the house in the manner of 

 a fly over a tent, and for the same purpose, to shade and cool the house, be an 

 advantage? A. Yes, but I have not known any one to try it. 



15. Q. Is it possible to prevent the English sparrows from entering a martin 



