THE SPARROW IN AMERICA. 48 



appear from the scene, the ground would soon be covered 

 by birds, some of which would enter the coops, taking 

 due care, however, to avoid the bill of the enraged hen 



Jealousy is certainly the vera causa of the sparrow's 

 irritability and pugnacity. This feeling is so deeply in- 

 grained into its very being that the slightest cause will 

 evoke it. The presence of a stranger bird when the 

 feeding process is going on, is enough to arouse sus- 

 picion and lead to trouble. Perhaps jealousy is the 

 natural outgrowth of long-continued exertions for main- 

 tenance in the "struggle for existence." The wonderful 

 salacity of this species, and its remarkable powers of 

 reproduction, lend countenance to this belief. A species 

 that breeds freely, and multiplies rapidly, must doubtless 

 perish, where bounteous provisions for its subsistence 

 are not made in the wise economy of nature. Particu- 

 larly will this be found to be the case in regions in which 

 the natural harmony of things is spoiled by man's short- 

 sightedness and stupidity. Either nature must most 

 miraculously increase her supply to satisfy the growipg 

 demand, or else a long and bitter struggle for supremacy 

 will inevitably ensue, the weaker go to the wall, or 

 be compelled to migrate to other quarters. Thus will 

 be engendered a feeling of jealousy, if not of intense 

 hatred, upon the part of the stronger against the weaker, 

 which will manifest itself in bitter persecutions and life- 

 long quarrels. Just such a situation of things as I have 

 depicted, must be patent to all who are not blinded by 

 prejudice, if they will but use their powers aright. 



In by-gone years, many of our smaller winter denizens 

 were daily to be seen in our gardens and on our lawns. 

 Who does not recollect the pleasure and joy which their 

 presence afforded ? The song sparrow, tree sparrow, and 



