204 



AMERICAN ORNITHOL OGY. 



A BROKEN SERIES. 



The photographs from which the illustrations with this were made, I 

 think are equal to if not superior to any that have ever been secured 

 of this bird, the American Robin. The nest is a very attractive one 

 and the location is ideal for an artistic photograph as well as very con- 

 venient one for the photographer, Mr. J. E. Sherman of this city. The 

 nest was situated in an elm between fifty and sixty feet from the ground 

 and about six feet from a window of a city block. It was therefore 

 safe from the attacks of the small boy, and even puss would have a hard 

 climb before she reached the nestlings, and Mr. Sherman confidently 

 expected to obtain a series of photos illustrative of their home life. 

 Unfortunately, as is the case with many nests in close proximity to a 

 large city, there are dangers even more grave than those to be antici- 

 pated from boys or cats. The nest was completed and occupied by 

 four blue eggs without mishap, but as soon as Madam Robin had 

 settled down to the peaceful occupation of setting, trouble began. The 

 English Sparrows of Worcester are not one whit better than those of 

 other parts of the country, indeed sometimes I think they are even 

 more barborous. Although nesting material was abundant on every 

 hand, out of pure deviltry they chose to steal it from the Robin rather 

 than pick up that which was not already appropriated. One after an- 

 other would slyly sneak up to the nest, grasp the end of a straw or 

 string, pull it from its fastenings and with a gleeful chuckle fly away 

 with it. These depredations continued unceasingly until the bottom of 

 the nest was torn out and the eggs rolled to the paving below. This is 

 but one instance among the thousands of like occurances that take place 

 in every large city each year, and yet many will undertake to defend 

 the English Sparrow. 



The only argument that can be advanced against their extermination 

 is that they serve to enliven the long days of winter when other birds 

 are absent. Those who make this plea never stop to consider why the 

 other winter birds do not stay about the cities. Given a free field with 

 no rowdies to contend and in any locality in which English Sparrows 

 could thrive during the winter, would be found numbers of Chickadees, 

 Nuthatches, and Woodpeckers. When the legislatures of each state can 

 be induced to offer a bounty on the heads of the House Sparrow, then, 

 and only then can there be hope of peace and happiness in the city bird 

 population. May the day soon come. 



