CillKV JiRI',ASTKl) MAirriNS :j2U 



of the many martins that <>atlier about him. Tluis tlic hfc 

 of many a seed-cat ini>" finch and eatei'piUar-destroying wren 

 has heen preserved. 



The v'indows of Kalaeoon house always remained o])en 

 and soon after our arrival several martins took advantage of 

 this to roost on the rafters over our lieads, entering tln-ougli 

 a window close ])cncatli the peak of the roof. On the rare 

 occasions when it liad to l)e closed on account of the I'ain 

 wliich poiu'ed through in gusts, tlie birds gathered outside 

 iti mimbers, some on the sill and others on the eaves above, 

 and tried to express their troubles in a k)ud l)ubbling and 

 chatter. Though there were otlier open windows nearby, 

 they never used them, but ahvays, if their own private en- 

 trance were closed, sought other roosting ])laces for the niglit. 

 They roosted in pairs and never allowed a third to encroach 

 upon what they considered their own territory. 



Later on, near the end of INIarch — the middle of the 

 short dry season — mating instincts became u])permost and 

 the martins commenced to consider sites for their nests. Un- 

 fortunately for us, one pair decided that their roosting place 

 on the rafters was an ideal situation; so for the next few 

 weeks there w^as a continual shower of sticks and straws from 

 above. Fortunately they gave it up after a month of vain 

 attempt and sought a new spot. 



A small box with four compartments had ])een erected 

 a short time before, on a pole, with the hope that some of 

 the birds would take advantage of it. Immediately a pair 

 of palm tanagers took possession. Tliis was too much for 

 our pair of martins, wdiich at once — incited by jealousy and 

 need for a new home — drove away the tanagers and appro- 

 priated the partially completed nest as their own. The occu- 

 pation w^as not accomplislied, however, witliout many a 

 scuffle with the original tenants and other pairs of martins 

 who had nesting ideas of their ow^n. The buikling did not 

 commence immediately after possession had been obtained, 

 but, either to make sure that the new house was safe — it 



