The Audubon Societies 



53 



FROM A STARCH-BOX TO A TWENTY-SIX ROOM 

 MARTIN-HOUSE 



Some years ago, I began to see bird-houses in different gardens near my 

 home, and became interested in them. I was twelve years old at the time. 

 Tools had been given me by relatives, but I never had any real use for them. 

 The interest in bird-houses started my tools on their proper journey in life. 



My first efforts began with starch-box foundations, and Wrens and Blue- 

 birds are not skeptical about such architecture. From the way Jenny Wren 

 perks about, some of the starch 

 of original abodes of this kind 

 seems to have entered into her 

 makeup. Immediately Wrens and 

 Bluebirds took advantage of the 

 new dwellings. I was still on the 

 step-ladder, having just placed a 

 house, when a vivid Bluebird, the 

 first one of the season, perched on 

 the new roof. It was a magic 

 incident. He came from the sky 

 like a blue arrow and was as 

 quickly gone. Later he came 

 with his mate to delight our 

 household. 



After reading my first bird- 

 books, specific needs impressed 

 themselves upon me very quickly. 

 As with all things we love, noth- 

 ing is too good, so an investment 

 in clean, smooth lumber was 

 made. The size of the various 

 doors began to mean something. 

 Ventilation was a consideration, 

 and placing the houses with regard 

 jx) wind and rain. The neighbors 

 were touched by the new interest, 



and a kind neighbor made helpful suggestions. The third year, ambition and 

 ever-growing interest reached 'from pole to pole,' and ahghted on Martin- 

 houses. Some six-room houses of unique design were built, but placed too near 

 the dwelling for occupancy. Martins came to the garden all through the season, 

 fluttering on the houses and expressing most earnest regret that their needs 

 could not be met. The joy ahead this year is that twenty-six rooms of soHd 

 comfort await boarders this spring, the distance of the Martin-pole away from 

 the house being scientifically correct. 



