34

1916.

43. Purple Martin. Seen or heard at the Farm on May 2 [May 2, 1916], 4 [May 4, 1916], 5 [May 5, 1916], 22 [May 22, 1916], 27 [May 27, 1916]
and June 21 [June 21, 1916], at Ball's Hill on May 25 [May 25, 1916]. Mr. Dexter reports all the breeding
colonies in or near Concord village sadly depleted in numbers and
some boxes, hitherto occupied annually, completely deserted this year.

44. Eave Swallow. Single birds seen occasionally at the Farm, the first
on May 15 [May 15, 1916]. The breeding colony established last year under the eaves
of Stedman Buttricks [Buttrick's] mastic-coated garage near Flint's Bridge was
reoccupied again this season. Acting on my advice Mr. Buttrick had
all the old nests knocked down in April to prevent House Sparrows
from taking possession of them. Twenty-two finished new nests & others
begun were seen there by Messers. [Messrs.] Faxon & Tyler on May 25 [May 25, 1916]. Four
days later Mr. Buttrick informed me that the Sparrows were fast
driving the Swallows away and laying in their nests. I urged him
to shoot the sparrows which he did shortly afterwards, killing upwards
of 40 in the course of a few days. On June 27 [June 27, 1916] he reported that most
of the Swallows had returned and were feeding well-fledged young
in some 18 or 20 nests while only a single pair of Sparrows had
escaped his gun, to remain about the place. I also learn from
George S. Keyes that 6 or 7 Swallow nests were built & occupied
under the eaves of his wooden barn this year - no doubt by
birds banished from the Buttrick colony by the Sparrows.
In the days of my youth there was always a large colony 
of Eave Sparrows & another of Martins, at the Keyes place.

45. Barn Swallow. Arrived April 17 [April 17, 1916]. No obvious passage of birds
bound further north. Those breeding along our road more numerous
than for many years past. Almost every barn with convenient
openings sheltered from one or two to six or eight pairs. They were
flying in or out of the old Bigelow barn incessantly and skimming