The Zoological Society of Philadelphia. 
Pa i rmount Park . 
Philadelphia, July 30, 1899. 
Mr. Jos i ah Hoopes, 
West Chester, Penna. 
Dear Sir, 
Pardon me for not writing before but have been wait- 
ing. for something definite to tell you. Without giving up all 
hope I am very much afraid the martin experiment will prove a 
failure. We have a number of the young birds still with us 
but although some of them fly perfectly well they have not 
shown the slightest inclination to forage for themselves, ex- 
cept their six meals a day to be put in their mouths and are 
the tamest birds I ever saw. Not a day has past but one or 
two of the old birds have been here, they fly with the young 
ones sometimes but do not seem to have taught them anything. 
The man who feeds them seems to think that two or three will 
learn in time to care for themselves but I doubt it, if they 
do and go south this fall there is a chance of a pair or two 
locating here next spring and perhaps some of the old ones 
having become used to the place may settle here next year but 
I am afraid that is very doubtful too. I do not know how I 
will feel about trying it over again next year but if I do 
will take advantage of your kind permission to put the box 
up again. Very sincerely yours, Rob ' t D. Carson. 
( copy ) . 
