Rusty Leonard, age 11, of Wichita, Kansas, for his question:

How can I attract purple martins?

Mr. and Mrs. Martin are a handsome couple, socially popular and a perfect example of family harmony. No wonder people want to attract them to the neighborhood. Aside from their endearing charm, they also perform useful services in the garden.

Andy suspects that our American Indians know more about the ways of nature than the rest of us. He consults them on certain important topics, including how to attract nature's children. Sure enough, in this case they revealed the basic secret. It seems that they discovered the merits of the purple martin long before the first white settlers arrived, and the Indians shared their secret with the early colonists of New England. The basic trick is to help these handsome birds with their building chores. In colonial days, this was done by stringing gourds between two high poles. The martins used them as nests.

This does not mean that Mr. and Mrs. Martin have a lazy streak. Far from it. When they have no helpful human friends, they construct a very fine nest by lining cavities in trees and cliffs with twigs and soft grasses. There they share an amiable social life with a whole colony of neighboring relatives. Their friendly social attitude extends to people    and ages ago they learned that humans have a talent for home construction as well. They were very happy to nest in those gourds, and, what's more, they like being around people. This is pleasant to remember when humanity's miserable failures get you down. If the splendid purple martin likes us, then we can't be all bad.

When the settlers learned why gourds attract purple martins, they improved on the idea. On high posts they fixed wooden boxes fitted inside with 10 to 30 rooms for separate nesting couples. Maybe these were America's first apartment houses. In any case, the purple martins knew just what they were for and moved in. And the best way to attract them is still a sturdy martin house, lovingly constructed by human hands. So get out your tool kit. The late arrivals from South America are due back before the end of April.

However, don't do a sloppy rush job. Purple martins inspect the property for flaws before moving in. The supporting post must be strong, perfectly steady and too high for cats. The house must be wind and rain proof and should have a pointed roof. Each apartment requires eight square inches of space and a round opening to serve as a door. Balconies or ledges for perching purposes are appreciated, so are ornaments and fancy extras. If your martin house passes inspection, the handsome tenants will move in and gratefully return each spring. While in residence, they will repay you by devouring an assortment of flying insects considered to be garden pests.

Your martin house may be rejected if it is too close to neighborhood starlings or house sparrows. Try a new location and keep making other adjustments until you succeed. When the purple martins finally approve, you know your trouble was worth while. You will love watching their busy family life    and they like being watched. What's more, purple martins like living near human homes because they enjoy people watching.