Notes on How to Start a Colony of Purple Martins 



By THOS. L. McCONNELL, McKeesport, Pa. 

 With a diagram by the author 



UNDOUBTEDLY a great many interested bird-lovers would start colonies 

 of Purple Martins if they knew what to do and how to get about it. 

 An interesting elderly physician who likes to talk about birds told me 

 that, if he could only get a pair of Pmple Martins, he would put up a bird-box 

 right away, and then added that there were never any around. Possibly he 

 needs a bird-house catalogue, with full instructions. 



The Martin has a strong tendency to cling to its old home and associations, 

 and, unless driven out by the English Sparrow, only the immature (last year's 

 young) birds seek new quarters. Generally it is an easy task to start a new 

 colony where there are colonies in the immediate neighborhood. 



They prefer the old weather-beaten box to the new one, smelling of new 

 lumber and paint, when other things are the same. This may be tested by 

 putting up one bird-house of each kind. Invariably, the old storm-beaten box 

 will fill up, while a single pair may select the new one. New boxes, even if 

 erected near other Martin colonies, will be more popular after the first season. 

 Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. The writer has found it expedient 

 to age the new bird-house by smearing the inside of all the rooms with wet mud 

 or clay, which seems to please the birds. 



When one prefers to paint the bird-house for a new Martin colony, select 

 inconspicuous colors, such as a pearl or stone color, and paint the pole black. 

 Plain white without trimmings seems to harmonize with the nature of these birds. 

 White, unless otherwise specified, is the standard rule for painting bird-houses 

 for Martins by one of the leading bird-house companies. After a colony is a 

 year or so old and well established, there is little objection to painting and, 

 moreover, it is advisable to do so in order to preserve the wood and beautify 

 the structure. 



An eight- or ten-room house is usually large enough for the first year's 

 experiment. The rooms should be about 8 x 8 x lo inches high, and each room 

 should be separate and have but one entrance. The entrances or holes into rooms 

 are commonly of three types: round, about 2 3^ inches diameter; square or rect- 

 angular, about lyi inches x 2>^ inches; or a combination of the first two, 

 which gives a pretty opening with the arch. The last two types have the 

 advantage of allowing greater accessibility for cleaning out Sparrows' nests. 

 The regular entrance will give sufiicient ventilation for each room, and no other 

 holes should be provided. The rooms should be draught-proof, and be covered 

 with a water-tight roof. Separate platforms may be provided in front of each 

 opening, for the Martins love to sit around and rest or sun themselves. 



A very important point is the location of the bird-house. Choose an open 

 space, if possible, away from the shade of trees and free from buildings. 



(s) 



