64 HOME STUDIES IN NATURE. 



scattered for the fowls and pigeons, but occasionally 

 quite a flock comes and mingles with our native species 

 beneath my window, and here I can watch them at my 

 leisure. Our indigenous birds know better than to at- 

 tack him, for he is stronger and more heavily built than 

 they are. 



Only once since my observations commenced have I 

 seen anything like a quarrel between the English spar- 

 row and our native species, and in this instance the ag- 

 gressor was the champion Junco, who was ruler over 

 his own tribe, and had also whipped many white-throats 

 and song-sparrows. 



A little group of English sparrows was quietly feed- 

 ing beneath the window. Junco struts around them 

 and chatters, but they pay no attention, not even deign- 

 ing to look at him. Failing in his attempts to elicit any 

 notice, he flits to the window-sill and looks down upon 

 them. Finally he seems to single out one which has 

 wandered a little apart from the rest, and in a twin- 

 kling he strikes him broadside, throwing him off his feet, 

 and then flies several yards away. The English spar- 

 row is on his feet in an instant, slowly turning his head 

 all around in evident amazement, but is soon eating 

 again. Junco does not renew the attack, but mingles 

 with his kind, picking up seeds. The English sparrow, 

 however, has his eye upon him, and now Junco has to 

 keep at a safe distance. 



The summer yellow-bird also mixes freely with the 

 various sparrows. This charming little creature looks 



