190 BULLETIN OF WISCONSIN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. VOL. 1. NO. 3. 
though caused b}' a heavy blow. Search was made for the re- 
mainder of the skull, but none was found. 
After removing the charred bones, a layer two inches thick of 
charred wood, grass, twigs and leaves were found. This layer 
gradually thinned out at the outer edge of the fire. The center 
of this charred mass was matted together, probably by the glu- 
tinous subsance from the bones. Where this substance had not 
reached the twigs, etc., they were found to be loose and as soon 
as the trowel touched them, they broke and crumbled. Some very 
large logs were found. There were four logs or poles six inches 
through and at least six feet long, extending from nearly the cen- 
ter of the mound out in opposite directions, dividing the mound 
into four sections and apparently forming or shaping the mound, 
the central ends being elevated higher than the outer ends. The 
only piece that was procured intact was a portion of the central 
end of one log which extended through the fire and was partially 
burnt. This piece is very well preserved. The logs extending 
into the other portions of the mound not touched by fire had 
scarcely enough cohesiveness to enable them to retain their form. 
These logs were found in the same strata the bones were in and 
appear to be of a species of oak still growing in this vicinity in 
the ravines. 
Prof. \V. G. Crocker of Lisbon also excavated a small mound 
about two and one-half miles southeast of Lisbon on the east 
side of the river. In an interview he states that but one skeleton 
was found in this mound. It was in a sitting position in the 
center of the mound with arms extended, and in the hands was 
found a large shell, in the bowl of which were found the bones 
of some bird. 
The Purple Martin, BY P. H. DERNEHL. The following 
record of the arrival and departure of this species may prove of 
interest: 
In 1895 they returned to their boxes in my garden, April 2, left August 18 
In 1896 " " " " April —, left August 16 
In 1897 " " " " April 7, left August 15 
In 1898 " " " " April 9, left August 13 
Inl899 " " " April 4, left August — 
In 1900 " " " " April 15, left August 15 
Their food while here consisted solely of insects — chiefly, 
wasps, bees, beetles and all manner of garden insects. 
]\Ir. Jno. A. Brandon has mentioned an instance of the vora- 
ciousness of these birds. In a martin house which he had erected 
near his dwelling, in such a position that he could easily obser\e 
