2 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis 



two sets, 6; no eggs, 4; sets laid, 45; sets hatched, 33; 

 eggs hatched, 128 ; young brought up to be able to leave 

 the box, 110. Fifty boxes had been erected. Seven were 

 not occupied. 



The very early and really untimely return of the old 

 Martin in spring can only be explained by a strong desire 

 to take possession of a suitable nesting site before others 

 arrive. He knows that without a desirable home his 

 chances for getting a spouse are slim. He knows that on 

 her frail heart his glossy coat makes no impression, if it 

 is not backed by a comfortable home. His melodious and 

 rapturous carols will attract her, but before she makes 

 up her mind to stay she satisfies herself that the house 

 which he offers suits her ideas of a home and nursery. 



That the same individuals return to the same place has 

 seldom been doubted, but a good proof of it may not be 

 out of place. A few years ago, when Progne appeared 

 on the scene a little earlier than I expected and before I 

 had put up the boxes which were taken down every win- 

 ter, I had the satisfaction of seeing an old Martin hover- 

 ing in the air at exactly the same spot and at the very 

 same height above the ground where a box used to stand. 

 This shows that a bird's memory is much better than it 

 is generally known. 



In possession of a box of his choice the old Martin 

 sticks to it and awaits the arrival of the females. Some- 

 times he has to wait for weeks, but whenever the weather 

 is propitious his eyes scan the firmament, and as soon as 

 he discovers the coveted object his voice is raised in 

 ecstacy. A female thus attracted soon alights and the 

 whole colony is in the greatest excitement, every male 

 doing his best to invite the sweet newcomer into his 

 house. After a little rest and meditation she settles 

 daintily at the side of one of the noisy wooers, whose 

 entreaties become now still more boisterous. He per- 

 suades her into his house, but she only looks attentively 



