The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-23
THE MARTINS OF MAINE.
A BIRD FAMILY or GOOD REPUTE AND
MANY PLEASING TRAITS.


mer ns t"r neh a "a, Ihe'r Dos
n"r.. nn,n, ,,,nsn,"'' " ' s",', a IAN
"
fohoRofT' Me- July I'll re'isltng his
nhtiVe village In Name AFTER an absence OF
many years lew Things please the iarm'ored
boy more imam 10 renew ACQUAINTANCE with MS
o'u iriehos 'he martins Iheir houses, quaint
limitations IN miniature OF human residences.
churcnes ana schoolhouses, are perched ON
poles IN yaras ana at inc gable ends OF barns
WIN tue pack coated pirds passing IN and out,
as OF oiu' Inc Ehsish sparrows nave crowded
the martins somewhat IN the villages occupy.
ing tneir houses III winter ana making nghe
10 no'u 'hehi "neh 'he r'shtiui owners reNurn
IN the spring inc villagers shoot the spar
rows ana heip inc martins.in other ways. 80
'hat 'hey usually come 10 their own AFTER more
OF iess hghting' ana once IN possession the
""'Ne p'Fus "te ans easiy W Keep 'he COCK.
my 'n'ruuers OUT Oh Iheir houses
Gaeh PAIR Oh martins taxes compartment In
'no mousse every reno OF the last year nest
an" , VI 'he sparrows Is thrown OUT, ana inc PAIR
ou''u d ne" nest Al course OF tme' tne eggs
aio 'a'u anu hatcheu OUT anu mrs' martin JOINS
hoi spouso III proN'oihS ioI 'he ""pNs vi ens't
ohspriE' commonly OUT Oh se'era' young
ohes that oreak the smell Two only are reared
'he spartan parents aes'roSins 'hose "nich
SNOW Signs Oh u'sease OF weakness oni' ono
oroou IN the year is proauceo ny martins IN
maine ihe heusnks ka'n iaSt !" n'fenE.h
anu size una are luiIy eluai 10 the iohs h'ens
'"cs must uhuerthAe When 'he unio W "'-
stat'oh comes I'D september.
Pto 'he seooha season IN tne'r eAis'enco
,ne haie anu the ieha'e haF''n nave 'ne sanne
oiowh ''htS Vi uaeA anu "'nss apoSe '"e ktS
W '"o uio"e', "oeo t'h.' Wv. ioa'o 'o.a'ns
throushout her ne. put uurihe the second
season ,he mars p'ras p'u'naSe uarNehs 10 the
splenoiti oiae.' Win piue anu putp'e sheens,
which ID ms coIor hereafter me martins
with his faultless attire and high surrounds
ished gentleman among birds. His song.
soft and sweet. like laughter ripping up
nioukn .ho 'hfoa,' 10 ihouu'a.eu 10 the
pitch habitual In all good society. and is very
hunooni,u ~ ,.rtin 10 narn d,Dorin,in.t,aa
and exclusive and he cannot be- temptsd tx
enter the most elaborate and costly house
built for his occupancy unless the people on
tons II ia A saving among the country tolk
that martina will make their home only whero
good people live As a householder tho martin
is bird of consideration. from whom good be-
quirements Of his station. being in all respects
800, aa,a Wv h, OH" %
hunting hcid Is noble one. being the broad
air. where, ever upon the wing. he takes the
f,vinp insects allow and oloft
-, -, ~, - ,, .,,,
figeohhaWksa ana the Wk.orshrlko.
are the martins worst enemies. These Turk
in am husb in trees and busbss waiting IN dart
-. i - 49, H., a. - 49,, .i -.
upon MN as he liies near inc ground or enters
his house. aiming always to attack him from
nhove Tn snch an encountar raoaptIv n
'I,,ao,h,,, ,','.,,,aa n's~,;, " ~
his house. The hawk kept above the martin.
o,yoonino unon hin, from timo N ,i,a "a
s" , upo" MN ,ioin .ih'1 " '''iio anu
following MIN closely IN an ms darts ana turns.
several times u seemed that ne would seize
me martln,, put lhe smaiIet blrd managed
70 aNo,ld MN until elfcilnE nearer MS
honSn he shot suddenly INTO the doorway,
leaving MS pursuer ~ inc lurch Inc hawk did
not go away at once, but perchcd on the ridge
pole ot the barn. sullenlr watchihR the martin
house, until shot IRON q fiohert rifle IN the
hands Of the owner OF the premises sent some
Of ms leathers living. ana ne TOOK the mint to
sail on toward the woods. His lofty Night and
tho situation OF his house upon nole puts the
martin above the reach OF ms other natural
enemies the cats ana me weasels
:. ~ deIence OF their MONIES martins are nerce
,itt,e iighters ana thsy VIII attack sho oWl %
houses are situated Their attack Is made a.. q.
larger bird, peeking him sharply with their
heaEs. Clipping MN with their wings and max;
ing u warm Ior MN generally until ne IA kiad
to ny away; In this way q colony o. martins
protects the poultry yard beneath its house.
from feathercd enemies. and TINS TACT alone, II