194 COMMON BIRDS OF AN INDIAN GARDEN 



whip forms a most efficient weapon, especially when 

 aided by a sporting terrier, ready to pounce on any 

 bird who falls to the ground, and whose joy in doing 

 so tempers one's regret at being so merciless. Violent 

 measures of this kind abate the nuisance for a time, 

 but the only efficient remedy lies in closing all the 

 windows and the openings of verandahs with wire- 

 netting of a mesh fine enough to offer an obstacle to 

 free passage in full flight, since the mere fact of the 

 network being present is quite enough to render 

 most birds, unless endowed, like mynas, with a 

 fearlessness based on conscious merit, very cautious 

 of venturing within any space bounded by it. 



In their other habits Indian sparrows are just 

 as irritating as their European relatives. Like 

 them they persist in keeping up an intolerable 

 chattering conversation long after they have retired 

 to roost, and like them they are exasperatingly un- 

 grateful and quite unable to appreciate any kind- 

 ness that may be wasted on them. Any one who 

 has been in the habit of continuously feeding wild 

 birds must be well' aware of the way in which the 

 ungracious habits of sparrows come to get upon 

 the nerves, and become a very leaven of animosity. 

 All other birds, even crows, understand kindness. 

 When a regular store of food is offered to them 

 they may come to consider that a right has been 

 established, and may even imperatively demand 

 their dole at the wonted hour, but they quite 



