THE SPARROW IN AMERICA. 51 



turned, it was plucked and eaten upon the spot, or borne 

 in triumph to the nest, a box upon the premises (a poor 

 compensation for hospitality shown). To prevent these 

 ravages the gentleman was compelled to cover the bed, 

 which was a small one, with netting stretched upon 

 small upright stakes. 



The cultivated raspberry is also esteemed a great 

 luxury. During the prevalence of the season, from 

 the middle of June until about the middle of July, the 

 sparrows are constant visitors to the bushes. The red 

 variety is greatly to be preferred to any other. The 

 black variety is the least attractive. It is probable that 

 the fruits of the high and low blackberries are occasion- 

 ally eaten, although not to any great extent. I have 

 seen birds upon these bushes acting very mysteriously. 

 A subsequent examination showed that the berries had 

 been pecked. The pea-vines receive their share of 

 attention also. But it is only when the pods have 

 appeared and become partially swollen out with the 

 developing peas. When the latter have attained one- 

 fourth, and even one-half, their natural size, they are 

 most prized. They are secured by the separation of 

 the valves of the pod by the bill of the bird. The 

 destruction which these birds commit upon the pea is 

 nothing when compared with that wliicli they perpe- 

 trate upon grain fields. The growing head is often 

 attacked, and the soft and milky grain extracted from 

 the glume. But it is mainly after the head has ripened, 

 and is reposing upon the field preparatory to being 

 carried to the barn for shelter, that this destruction is 

 most complete. Many a grain is then pulled from its 

 hiding-place and passed into the stomachs of these birds, 

 or scattered irrecoverably upon the ground. In the 



