THE SPARROW IN AMERICA. 65 



the result of the overstimulated life which these birds 

 lead in the land of their forced adoption. Although in- 

 duced by climatic and dietetic causes, which act with 

 greater freedom and power here than in the land of its 

 nativity, as I infer from the silence of European writ- 

 ers upon the subject, it is gratifying and consoling to 

 reflect that the change has not been so radical as to 

 operate towards the destruction of the social ties which 

 bind the individuals of this species into a harmonious 

 whole, and which has cemented a friendship so strong 

 and durable that infidelity is out the question. 



The extraordinary degree of affection which the sexes 

 display towards each other, naturally leads to the infer- 

 ence that parental love lacks naught of the power and 

 vigor of conjugal love. We therefore find that the most 

 devoted affection and the greatest concern are manifested 

 for the young. Both parents vie with each other in 

 rendering them every needful attention. To satisfy 

 their voracious appetites, they are kept alternately busy 

 from morning until night, as well by cloudy and rainy, 

 as by fair and sunshiny weather. Occasionally, both 

 birds are absent from home on this important business. 

 "When with young, should the nest be assailed by human 

 or feathered foe, the utmost excitement, and the most 

 deafening din, prevail. In the case of a feathered 

 enemy, the combined vengeance of the insulted pair is 

 wreaked upon the daring and presumptuous offender. 

 In these attacks, the female is the compeer of her lord. 

 It is seldom that, except in isolated cases, the necessity 

 for such assaults exists, for, where the requisite accom- 

 modations abound, a disposition to dwell in communities 

 is manifest, and few species have the rashness to attempt 

 any molestation. 



