118 SONG SPARBOW 



by strolling- cats, and many of the birds botb 

 young and old killed by the prowlers. " Cats 

 should never be tolerated in garden or field," he 

 exclaims emphatically. " They do more harm to 

 our familiar garden birds than all other enemies 

 combined." This testimony is borne out by Mr. 

 Brewster, who says that stray grimalkins have 

 even penetrated the forests of Maine, their tracks 

 actually being commoner there than those of any 

 wild animal. As a matter of humanity to the 

 cats as well as to the birds, Mr. Brew^ster urges 

 that all city and village cats should be licensed 

 just as much as the dogs, and no unfed vagrants 

 allowed at large, where to keep from starving 

 they will prey upon our song-bircls. 



When not prematurely killed by feline marau- 

 ders, in some localities the Song Sparrow is said 

 to rear three broods in a season. It builds on or 

 near the ground, and its eggs are bluish white 

 heavily marked with brown. 



The Song Sparrow^s are among the gentlest 

 and most winning birds we are blessed with, and 

 when they nest near the house may easily be in- 

 duced to come to the doorstep for crumbs. Their 

 song bears the test of every day ; for while it 

 is not brilliant, it has all the sweetness of the 

 gentle bird's own simple nature, and heard far 

 from home stirs chords that the more brilliant 

 strangers do not touch. Even its chirp has a 

 contented quality that it does one good to hear. 



