The Purple Martin
This is the only desirable colony-forming bird-house tenant. Therefore the apartment type of house is a waste of material unless intended for Purple Martins and designed accordingly. Of the desirable bird-house clientele, none is quite so sophisticated as the Martins in the matter of a satisfactory location. If it is only so much as a biscuit-toss from the ground, the martin house may grace a bandstand, a village railroad station, or a busy village square. The house itself may be one of those adapted doll houses, complete with chimneys, windows, fancy doorways, and whatnots, ornate in fluted columns, bizarre in lightning rods and weathercocks, pretentious with elaborate porches and other gewgaws, and gaudy with rainbow tints. Go as far as you like, the Martin will pace you. However, for those who would consider the bird’s point of view to be of greater importance than their own, appropriate suggestions are offered in [Table I] and in [Plate IV]. If painted white the house will be cooler and may be preferred by the birds. The reader should be advised that Martins are temperamental and will sometimes refuse to occupy a suitable house because of some dislike for its situation. Furthermore, Martins sometimes inexplicably abandon a locality where they have previously been abundant.
Plate V. Nesting House for Ducks
The Wood Duck and (in proper places) the Hooded Merganser and Golden-eye are the duck species for which we may provide these houses. The location should be secluded and near the water; the exact site, 10 to 20 feet up on a stub or tree. Build preferably of rough slab material. See [text].