THE SPARROW IN AMERICA. 49 



fare just as a hawk, a crow, a grakle, or any of our 

 native finches. 



During the cold weather these birds derive a rather 

 precarious subsistence from the seeds of our commonest 

 weeds and grasses. They assemble about our doors for 

 the crumbs and scraps from the table. Throughout the 

 different seasons, and in all places, hundreds of them 

 may be seen upon our principal thoroughfares, scratching 

 among the excrement of horses for whatever of nutrient 

 qualities may be found therein. 



Their winter fare consists of the seeds of Chcnopodium 

 album, Amarantus hylridus, A. cdbus, A. paniculatus, 

 Ramex sanguineus, Ambrosia artemisicefolia, and besides 

 those of the different asters and solidagos. 



When balmy spring has melted the icy fetters of 

 winter, and started the sap through its accustomed 

 channels, the sparrows, active and hardy creatures 

 though they are, become endowed with new vigor, 

 sally out from their winter retreats while plant life is 

 budding into bloom, and wantonly destroy without 

 stint or pity. 



In the months of April and May, they enter our 

 lawns and indiscriminately attack whatever of vegeta- 

 tion is coming into existence. The maples, particularly 

 Acer rubrum and A. Saccliarinum, are rifled of their 

 blossoms. The kitchen-garden does not escape their 

 visits. The cherry, and the various species of Pyrus 

 and Prunus, are devastated for the ripened stamens and 

 immature ovaries. Many of our herbaceous plants are 

 bitten before they have attained to the height of a few 

 inches above the ground. In the floral stage, primroses 

 and others, are hopelessly ruined. The grape-vines are 

 attacked, and the blossoms pillaged. Later, during the 



