THE CAT QUESTION 287 



The first instinct of the young urban sparrow, 

 once he has been coaxed by his parents or 

 impelled by something in him to use his wings, 

 is to fly feebly, or rather to flutter downwards to 

 the earth ; and there, under a bush in a back 

 garden, or behind a pillar, or in an angle of the 

 wall, or in the area, the cat is waiting. The in- 

 experienced birdling, surprised and probably 

 frightened at a new and strange sensation, trying 

 to balance himself and to come down softly, 

 touches the ground and is struck by sudden 

 death. I have seen successive broods from one 

 nest come forth, and bird by bird at odd times 

 flutter down in this way, seeking a safer spot to 

 rest upon than the sloping roof and narrow 

 ledges and cornices on the walls, and finally 

 touch the earth only to be instantly de- 

 stroyed. But here one interesting question 

 arises. How, if the facts are as stated, it may 

 be asked, does it happen that the young sparrow 

 so frequently makes this fatal mistake, in spite 

 of his inherited knowledge ? T believe the 

 explanation is that the sparrow is essentially a 

 tree bird, notwithstanding his acquired habit of 

 sitting contentedly on buildings in towns. A 

 percher by nature, he is yet able to rub 



