XIII. 



THE BIRD OF THE STREET. 



As I said, the sparrow is a domestic tyrant, 

 brooking no opposition. I have never observed 

 a case in which the hen had her own way. He 

 is so great a bully, so self-willed and violent, 

 that, whatever the cause of disagreement, he 

 holds out with dogged obstinacy till he gets his 

 will. In one case there was difference of opin- 

 ion as to the site for a nest ; he wishing to oc- 

 cupy an empty cottage of man's providing, 

 while she, with finer instinct, had decided upon 

 a charming crotch in an evergreen tree. At 

 first she opposed him strongly, scattering the 

 material he brought, throwing the choicest bits 

 to the winds, while he stormed and scolded, 

 and — brought more. In the intervals between 

 thwarting his plans, she would accumulate ma- 

 terials in the chosen tree. He scorned to touch 

 them ; he simply ignored her designs, and pro- 

 ceeded with obstinacy almost sublime to bring, 

 and bring, and bring, till she was worn out, 

 gave up, and accepted the cottage at last. 



