THE BIRD SUPPLY 



other consumers of birds and their eggs. Some of the 

 southern Indians hung gourds up on poles and the 

 Martins learned to build their nests in them. This 

 custom is still in vogue in the South, and thou- 

 sands of Martin houses throughout the country are 

 erected every year for the accommodation of these 

 interesting birds. By their cheerful twitterings and 

 their vigilance in driving from the neighbourhood 

 every Hawk and Crow that ventures near, they not 

 only repay the slight effort made in their behalf, but 

 endear themselves to the thrifty chicken-raising 

 farm-wives of the country. 



If gourds or boxes cannot be found Martins will 

 sometimes build about the eaves of buildings or 

 similar places. They have learned that it is wise to 

 nest near human habitations. At Plant City, Flor- 

 ida, one may find their nests in the large electric arc- 

 lights swinging in the streets, and at Clearwater, 

 Florida, and in Bismarck, North Dakota, colonies 

 nest under the projecting roofs of store buildings. 



I have always been interested in finding nests of 

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