BIRD INCIDENTS. 



Wrens versus Sparrows : Some time the chimney, standing guard, and at the 



since in the early spring, a pair of Eng- same time giving vent to his feelings in 



lish Sparrows made up their minds to loud and spirited song. Of course, our 



take possession of a bird house in our gar- sympathies were with the victors, 

 den which a pair of Wrens had occupied Cat Bird and Cherry Stone : During 



for two previous years. one of my many rambles through .the 



Mr. and Mrs. Wren had not yet arrived, woods, I discovered the nest of a Cat 

 so there was none to dispute the spar- Bird in a thick clump of briars and upon 

 rows' right or suspend operations. All drawing near found it contained four lit- 

 went well and the nest was nearing com- tie ones. Retreating for a short distance, 

 pletion, when one bright sunny morning, I stopped and watched the mother bird 

 the former occupants arrived on the who was greatly excited at first, but see- 

 scene and trouble at once began. They ing that I meant no harm to her little 

 evidently resented the action of the spar- family, she proceeded with household 

 rows in taking the house which they an- matters. 



ticipated using for a summer residence. After giving the young ones two or 



An indictment of evacuation was at once three worms and other choice morsels, 



served and being met by a show of spar- she brought a good-size red cherry and 



row impudence, forcible expulsion was offered it to one of the nestlings. The 



next in order. little bird could not swallow it, so what 



Mr. Wren took up his position on the did the mother do but take the cherry 



front porch of the little house, and by a out of its mouth, remove the stone with 



series of savage attacks and much loud her beak and feet, and then give it back 



scolding, succeeded in keeping the pair to the nestling in a crushed state. This 



of sparrows off, while Mrs. Wren, work- time it disappeared in a trice. The in- 



ing with desperate determination, pro- cident impressed me as being not only 



ceeded to tear the nest apart and carrying amusing but an excellent illustration of 



the materials out the little back door, "bird sense." 



scattered them in all directions. My! Chippies Dividing Crumbs: While 

 what a shower of hay, straw, feathers, sitting under a shade tree in the yard, I 

 sticks, etc. This was continued until the observed a pair of Chippies eating two 

 house was entirely cleared. Then, with- crumbs of bread. One crumb was much 

 out delay, began the process of recon- larger than the other, and of couise the 

 struction. During this time the spar- bird having the smaller one finished first, 

 rows did not sit idly by and see their Then what ! Simply this, the other Chip- 

 work destroyed, but there was a continu- py at once broke his crumb in half and 

 ous battle between them, and when the proceeded to place a portion of it within 

 action became too pressing, both Wrens reach of his mate. In this way each had 

 would make a grand charge which invari- nearly an equal amount. Beautiful in- 

 ably resulted in driving the enemy back, cident ; well might man take this lesson 

 By and by the new nest was finished, and home to himself ; What an exhibition of 

 although bad feeling existed for several lve and generosity; what a different 

 days afterward, with frequent passages world this would be if people acted more 

 at arms, the sparrows finally gave up the on the principle of these innocent little 

 fight as hopeless, and Mr. Wren mounted birds ! 



Berton Mercer. 



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