6o JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



They had several times descended, but on each occasion had hardly 

 rested their feet when they were disturbed and so flew back to their 

 favorite waiting place to wait a more favorable opportunity. A con- 

 vention was being held in Portland. This particular day was a gala 

 one ; the streets were crowded with people. A band was preceding 

 a large army of followers and every one had turned out to see the 

 sights. Most of the guests of the Falmouth Hotel had taken up 

 positions on the sidewalk (it was in this locality the scene oc- 

 curred) , and this was indeed a crowded street. No wonder the birds 

 grew impatient and once more flew to the street, this time in the 

 wake of the band followers. They were hastily picking up morsels 

 of food, and just now the female was hammering on a tough dough- 

 nut, occasionally getting off a piece which she seemed much to 

 enjoy. So occupied, she was not aware of the speedy approach of a 

 car until the fender was completely over her. She attempted to rise, 

 but after a little fluttering was caught beneath the wheels of the car 

 and crushed. On the approach of the car the male arose and flew 

 to a distance of about twenty feet when the mangled body of his 

 mate appeared in view. He quickly wheeled and descended in a 

 circular motion until within a foot of the dead body, when he hovered 

 in mid air for several seconds over it, then rose again, only to repeat 

 the same performance. This he did several times, when a young 

 lad, who had evidently been watching the proceedings, picked up 

 the mangled body and deposited it in a rubbish barrel. To me it 

 was indeed a very interesting and pathetic sight, but evidently had 

 not produced the same effect on the ever-present English Sparrows, 

 as they were quickly gathering the stray feathers and carrj^ing them 



off for nest building. 



T, ,, , ^ , o Louis E. IvEgge. 



Portland, Feb. 17, 1908. 



