68 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



and when it is found their alternate angry and appealing entreaties would 

 touch the heart of anyone who cared aught for the welfare of the 

 birds. 



Their anxiety is not limited by any means to the safety of their own 

 young, but their sympathy is extended to all other afflicted or distressed 

 friends. They will protest with just as much vim against the invasion 

 of any of their neighbors' homes as against their own. From all points 

 of view, our Song Sparrows are very desirable birds and should be en- 

 couraged to come in greater numbers. Not a single disagreeable trait 

 can be charged against them and their many and varied songs have, and 

 will continue to bring delight to the hearts of those who roam the fields 

 for pleasure or study. 'Tis only those who, themselves, are the slaves 

 of fashion, who will call any member of this specie "only a Sparrow" 

 because of his lack of bright colors. You may clothe a bird in all the 

 colors of the rainbow and you cannot obtain the neat, attractive and well 

 groomed bird that our Sparrow is. 



NEST BUILDING UNDER DIFFICULTIES. 



Last summer I was much interested in watching a pair of kingbirds, 

 who were building their nest in a large burr-oak tree. They had the 

 nest about half finished when a pair of English sparrows appeared, and 

 after much noisy discussion, decided that was the exact spot for 

 them to set up housekeeping in. So a\yay they went, and with the in- 

 dustry which is the sparrows one good quality, were soon busy carry- 

 ing the larger part of a straw pile and putting it on top of the kingbird's 

 nest. When Mr. and Mrs. Kingbird returned, you may be sure there 

 was a lively time. They chased the sparrows around and around until 

 they retired apparently conquered, but no sooner were the kingbirds 

 away for a minute than the sparrows were back busier than ever. After 

 a time Mr. Kingbird stayed at home to guard the house while she went 

 on with the building. Soon the sparrows returned again and he started 

 in pursuit of one, but no sooner was he out of sight than the other spar- 

 row was at the nest with its beak full of straws. This was kept up for 

 two days when the kingbirds retired in disgust leaving the sparrows in 

 possession. 



Think of it. The kingbird, a very tyrant among birds, who will 

 scream with delight at the sight of a hawk or crow to torment, defeated 

 by a pair of English sparrows. Leslie l. haskin. 



