Nearly everyone knows swallows of one variety or another. The most beautiful of the family are the martins, Fig. [8]. This bird is of great service against the inroads of wasps, bugs and beetles. It prefers to live in colonies even though the males fight bitterly at times. Martin houses should have at least several rooms, each separate from all the others. Houses have been built to accommodate fifty and more families. Smaller ones are shown in Figs. [8], [9], [13] and [45].
FIG. 8. A MARTIN COLONY.
FIG. 9. THE PEER GYNT COTTAGE FOR MARTINS.
Fig. [9] is a miniature reproduction of Peer Gynt's cottage for a martin house. This house was not only an attractive thing to make, but martins selected it for their home during the past summer.