The Zoological Society of Philadelphia. 
Fa i rmount Park . 
Philadelphia, June 26, 1900. 
Dear Mr.Hoopes, 
The report of the Martins having returned to my box is 
true. I was waiting until I could find time to write you and 
also until I was assured they had come to stay and I did not 
know the papers had said anything about the matter. Yes, in 
spite of my several disappointments the birds have come and, 
I begin to feel, they will be a fixture, and, moreover, their 
actions prove that some of them if not all are those I raised 
by hand. On last Saturday at 1.15 P.M. 8 came to the box all 
remaining half an hour. One pair. stayed until nearly 7 o'- 
clock. On Sunday all came again and remained all day. One 
pair commenced building. They were here again yesterday and 
today, very ousy and happy and apparently quite at home. Is 
this not very late for them to nest? 
I feel very much gratified that my plan to colonise them 
here has been successful. No one seemed to have the slight- 
est idea it would be. I again thank you for your share in 
the experiment in allowing me to place my box in your yard 
and hope you will come to see my birds. 
Very truly yours, 
Rob't D. Carson. 
( copy ) . 
