Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-03-19
This and That
BIZ Charles E. Trdce1DeH.

Dear Sir:
IT have just finished reading your
most interesting comment on the con-
struction of birdhouses. Some day I
hope to do more of this kind Of work
to supplement the few houses I now
have around my home.
IT am especially interested in build
ing house for what to me is the most
interesting of all birds, the purple mar
tin.
Since my boyhood I have seen very
few martin houses, which in those days
were as plentiful as wren houses are to-
day. I would appreciate having the
specifications for martin house and
to know what Gf anything) may be done
to encourage these birds to accept an in
vitation to take possession.
your comment on density Of bird
populations brings to mind our expert
ence last year at our home in York, Pa.
Our back porch was draped with a
dense growth of wisteria.
"On one end was wren house, which
had tenant; about feet away in
the vine was robins nest, and be-
tween the two a pair of English SPAR
rows built their nest.
"All these birds raised their broods
and as far as we knew there was no
hair feather pulling among the
mothers.
Thanks for your most interesting
and beneficial column.
Yours truly, w. w. G."
X X
Proper placement of even the best
martin house will not assure that the
birds will come.
That must be left to nature.
But the right house, put up in the
right place, and at the necessary height,
will do a great deal to lure these real
Americans.
The house should be on tall pole, at
least Is or 20 feet from the ground. This
means that the pole should be many feet
longer than this, in order to hold the
house in a wind.
Some device should be used so that
the pole is easily taken down, in order
that the house may be cleaned before
the birds arrive-if they do.
Some persons take the house down
and store through the winter, but this
is not often done, since too many houses
are now installed to make this possible.
Martins arrive early in April, so
houses should be up at least by the first
of the month.
In the construction of these houses,
the mind of the maker may have free
plav; that is, he may make them as
varied and fancy as he desires, so long
as he makes the individual units the
right size.
The smallest house has eight units or
re To ri, ortro ont c &
inches square, with holes 21a inches in
diameter. These entrances are near the
bottom, unlike entrances of other bird
houses. which are near the top.
Porches run all around the houses, as
these social birds love to sit on their
verandas after supper and look at the
world.
The complete house is placed, on its
pole, out in the open, at least so feet
from any houses, trees or even shrubs.
1t is essential that no shade touch the
houses. For this reason 1t is best to
paint the affair some light color, or
white, so that the sun is reflected.
The martin is real apartment dwell
er. He is one of the very few birds
which does not mind another family in
the same house. ....
These birds at one time were very
numerous in and around Washington,
but in recent years not so much has
been seen of them. Whether the blame
can be placed on the starlings, on whose
sturdy shoulders much blame is being
placed these days, or upon the fact that
too many persons, in erecting houses to
lure them, failed to observe some of the
mentioned restrictions, is question not
easily solved. Certainly the martins are
fine creatures, but the making and
proper placement and erection of the
house and pole together make a real
problem for all except the determined.