340 Bird - Lore 



just think of the enemies they have! People hate them and chase them away 

 from their homes, boys throw stones at them and shoot them, and cats are 

 always waiting to make a nice meal of them. In spite of all this, they stand 

 their ground and chatter away and let all the world know what a brave race 

 they are. Mrs. Sparrow's husband is always good to her, and if anything 

 should ever happen to her, he will take the best of care of the nest and young. 



Mr. and Mrs. Sparrow are always well dressed and choose very plain colors 

 for their clothes, and I think this shows that they are very sensible. 



I have tamed these Sparrows and found them very good friends, and not 

 a bit of trouble. Now they bring their children to my window-sill to be fed 

 bread, and it certainly is a pretty sight to see them. 



I hope the people who are always finding fault with these little folk will 

 take the time to learn some of their good points, and then I feel quite sure 

 they will have more friends in the future. — Mary Kouwenhoven, Brooklyn, 

 New York. 



[This contribution combines two points of view, one to be commended, the other 

 to be discouraged. The point of view of observing the English Sparrow, particularly in 

 cities where few other species of birds make a home, and of studying or taming it, is 

 commendable. Much can be learned in this way about the cycle of activities which 

 make up the complex life of a bird. In fact, anyone who has the opportunity to watch 

 only the English Sparrow need not say that it is not worth while to take up bird-study, 

 because one species thoroughly studied gives better results than twenty species known 

 indifferently and observed occasionally. 



The point of view to be discouraged is that of attempting to read into the life, habits, 

 or appearance of any bird a sentimental or misapplied interpretation based upon human 

 experience. It is incorrect to say that a bird 'chooses' the colors of its plumage, whether 

 these be gay or somber. It is not strictly true that any bird knows the difference between 

 a 'palace' and a 'shed.' What it may know, if it has any well-developed instinct at the 

 nesting-season, is the difference between a safe and an unsafe nesting-site. A palace 

 is as good as a shed or a shed as a palace, provided it offers a safe site for the nest. It 

 is not accurate to state that the English Sparrow was needed in this country because 

 it was imported, or that it overbalances the damage it does by beneficial food-habits. 

 So far as is known, this Sparrow did far more harm than good for many years after its 

 reckless importation. It has now reached its maximum increase, probably in this 

 country, at least it is hoped so. Some observers send in occasional reports of noticing 

 that it has developed locally beneficial food-habits at certain seasons of the year, but 

 such observations are not frequent. There is much that we need to learn about this 

 species, as well as about the Starling, so that the study of both should be everywhere 

 encouraged. By means of accurate and widespread observations, a solution to the 

 unfortunate situation which now confronts us in this country, of allowing two introduced 

 species to harass and drive out our native birds, may be found. — A. H. W.] 



A PIGEON KILLS A SPARROW 



There was a pair of Sparrows in my pigeon coop since March 15, 1916. 

 Two pairs of Pigeons had Uttle ones and one pair had eggs, and the Sparrow 

 had a little nest. On March 20, the Pigeon with eggs killed the Sparrow. 

 The Pigeon hit him with his wings three times, and then pecked him on the 



