16 THE HOUSE SPAKROW. 



very prolific, great animosity and numerous contests for 

 choice or possession occur at this season of the year." 

 In these battles, it is said by the above writer, " five or 

 six individuals may be seen indiscriminately engaged, 

 attacking, buffeting, and biting each other with all the 

 clamor and fury of excited rage." These contests, after 

 continuing for a longer or shorter period of time, are 

 eventually concluded on an amicable basis, the respective 

 combatants retiring from the struggle to attend to the 

 more essential business of the season. 



From the foregoing evidence, it is obvious that much 

 of the character which the sparrow now possesses, was 

 brought with it from its trans- Atlantic home. That 



<^> 



this bird is jealous of strangers in its own native clime, 

 and behaves with an insolent bearing towards them, 

 and even bullies its own kindred when actuated by 

 amatory influences, is too palpable to be doubted, or 

 gainsaid. James Kirk, Esq., of German town, who 

 emigrated to this country several years ago, has re- 

 peatedly called my attention to the irritable nature and 

 pugnacious disposition of these birds, and remarked 

 how alike is their behavior in America as compared 

 with it in England. Others, no less competent to in- 

 stitute comparisons, have iterated and reiterated similar 

 experiences. 



The general movements of this species are charac- 

 terized by marked vigilance, and a notable degree of 

 energy and vivacity. "When feeding, these birds are 

 always on the alert, and are seldom, if ever, taken by 

 surprise. They are mainly terrestrial, often repairing 

 to trees for the purpose of resting and feeding. 



Its flight is moderately firm, tolerably rapid, never 

 very high, and but slightly protracted. In the fall 



