34 TH ESA UDUBO NSB IE men 
December 1—Titmice singing. Quail and Ducks very scarce. Weed 
seed for birds scarce. Pileated Woodpeckers more numerous than for 
several years. 
Martins & Martin Houses 
By BENJAMIN T. GAULT 
Owing to the many unfavorable reports coming to us of Martin 
scarcity in various parts of the country, the mortality existing among them 
as shown in the number of young birds found dead in the boxes, as well as 
the quantity of young birds unable to fly that have forced their way out of 
the chambers and fallen helplessly to the ground, being abandoned by their 
parents and left to die, the writer has been asked to contribute this article, 
illustrated in part with plans and specifications that have been submitted 
herewith. 
These notes and olservations are based on a twenty-five-years experi- 
ence of successful Martin-housing here at my home in Glen Ellyn, Ill. 
Expressing it concretely, it is the writer’s belief that this great waste of 
bird-life, due largely to ignorance, entirely unnecessary, has been brought 
about ky excessive heat. Especially true has this been during the two past 
seasons of 1933-34 when summer temperatures rose to unusual heights. 
Many years ago the writer arrived at the conviction that all properly 
constructed Martin-houses should be ventilated, an idea that was put into 
execution at the start and it brought about excellent results; for, during 
those long years of experience, he has yet to recall an instance where a 
Martin was lost from heat cause alone. 
On the other hand, there are those who think and argue differently 
(for material advantages possibly, though it is hoped not); but of those I 
would frankly ask this one question: would you subject yourselves or your 
families to the same treatment that has been accorded the birds? I think 
not. 
As an illustration, let one test this matter out in his or her own home 
and I believe it will be readily seen what a cooling effect it has upon the 
chambers below to throw wide open the attic-windows and allow a free 
circulation of air from without. 
My friend, Harry G. Aterdeen, of Glen Ellyn, informs me that “every 
year’ he found dead Martins, young and helpless birds, on the lawn of his 
own and those of his neighbors who had Martin-houses. So this past sum- 
mer he made several thermometer tests with a Bluebird box on his premises, 
from which much earlier in the season the Bluebirds had successfully raised 
their young. “The thermometer in the shade on his own house stood at 116 
an unusual temperature it must be admitted for our locality. Placing 
the thermometer in the Blue-bird box, and on the shady side, he found that 
