84 THE ENGLISH SPARROW IN AMERICA. 



small feet of the Martin, with, these parts in the Sparrow, it is difficult 

 to understand how it can ever succeed in a combat where the numbers 

 on the opposing sides are nearly equal. 



Owing to the fact that the White bellied Swallow (Tacliycineta Mcolor) 

 is called u Martin" in some places, it is impossible to give accurate fig- 

 ures on the Purple Martin, though there is little doubt that in most 

 cases this latter species is referred to where the term u Martin" is used, 

 and always when " Black Martin" is given. 



Complaints of molesting the Purple Martin were received from sixty- 

 five observers, and complaints regarding the u Martin" from one hundred 

 and ninety-eight. Twenty observers state that the Purple Martin re- 

 sists the Sparrow with more or less success, while sixty-two give sim- 

 ilar testimony for " Martins;" a total of eighty-two witnesses of com- 

 plete or partial victories for the Martin, against two hundred and sixty- 

 three witnesses of quarrels. The proportion of successful resistances 

 for this species would seem therefore to be uearly double that shown 

 for the Bluebird, or even more than double if we admit, as we must, 

 that some of the complaints of molestation undoubtedly refer to the 

 White-bellied Swallow. For the reasons already mentioned it is obvious 

 that the summary of the reports on the White-bellied Swallow can not 

 be considered exact, but from the returns which unquestionably relate 

 to this species, it would- seem to be fully as successful as the Purple 

 Martin in resisting the Sparrow. The summary shows forty com- 

 plaints of molestation and seven cases of more or less successful resist- 

 ance, a showing scarcely to be expected in view of the fact that this 

 species is much smaller than the Martin, and very similar in structure 

 and habits. The following examples of evidence show how severe the 

 struggle for nesting places often is between the Sparrow and Martins. 



From G. Augustus Eittenhouse, Collegeville, Montgomery County, 

 Pa.: 



All birds that build in boxes and holes in old trees are driven off. I have several 

 boxes in which Bluebirds and Martins reared their young every season until the 

 Sparrows fought them out and took possession. I have seen thein throw the young out 

 of the nest and fly to the ground and kill them. I could' fill this paper with ex- 

 amples of this kind. - Boxes are being removed wherever they build. (August 18, 

 1886.) 



From A. Ford, Bronsou, Bourbon County, Kans. : 



It pulls the Martin and Swallow from their nests and throws out the eggs. (Octo- 

 ber 11, 1886. Present about two years.) 



From H. Volkening, Lenzburgh, Saint Clair County, 111.: 



Martins and Swallows resist, but not successfully. I have built houses for the 

 Martins and Wrens as have some of my neighbors, but the Sparrows fought them away 

 and destroyed the nests with the broods in them. (October 4, 1886. Present about 

 three years.) 



From W. V. Hardy, Holman Station, Scott County, Ind.: 

 In the spring of 1886 four pairs of Martins came to my boxes. The Sparrows drove 

 away two pairs, but by shooting the Sparrows as fast as they came the others were 

 induced to stay. (September 6, 1886. Present about four years.) 



