14 DHE AW Diu BIO NT? BULA Eee 
PURPLE MARTINS FACE DIFFICULT SPRING 
By T. E. Musselman 
Purple Martins arrived as usual this year, both in time and in normal 
numbers. They rely entirely on insects, and three days of sub-freezing 
weather removed their supply of available food. Many died of starvation. 
One man, who normally has several dozen pairs, found seventeen birds 
dead on the ground and in his boxes. I feel this is the answer to the lack 
of birds this year. 
Bluebirds survived, as they could get to the ground, where they 
found enough seeds of hackberries and other berries, such as multiflora 
roses, pyracantha, and deciduous holly berries. Up above, the insects were 
non-existent. Here’s hoping the martins have a good year in 1967 and begin 
the program of increasing their numbers. Certainly they have sufficient 
nesting sites, and I believe they will make a good “comeback.” 
My Prothonotary Warbler boxes are well filled, as they came north 
after the cold snap. Yesterday I ran my warbler route and most of the 
boxes are well filled with lovely, spotted eggs. 
My martin box is without tenants for the first time in years, but I 
believe with a good hatch in 1966, we shall all have birds in 1967. 
124 South 24th Street, Quincy, Illinois 
Editor’s Note: The above item was taken from a letter sent to President Raymond Mostek 
last May.) 
Members! Send in Your Zip Codes! 
New postal regulations will soon require all non-profit organizations 
to include the Zip Code Number at the end of all addresses in a 
mailing. The Illinois Audubon Society, which enjoys the low cost of a 
bulk mailing permit, will lose the right to make such mailings after 
January 1, 1967, unless all names on our list include the Zip Code. 
If your address does not include this number after that date, and 
we mail the AUDUBON BULLETIN or I. A.S. NEWSLETTER to you, 
that mail will not be delivered. Hence we appeal to all members: 
send a card or letter containing your complete address, including 
Zip Code Number at the end, to Paul Schulze, Membership Chair- 
man, Illinois Audubon Society, 622 S. Wisconsin Avenue, Villa Park, 
IIlinois 60181. Look at your name on the back of this issue. If your 
address does not include your correct Zip Code Number — send 
it in! Thank you. 
