ENGLISH SPARROW 



AN UNWELCOME GUEST 



{Figs. 30, 31) 



OW unfortunate it is that our most 

 numerous bird should also be our 

 least attractive one. Possibly in 

 the city, where Sparrow is the only 

 bird, we may welcome him, be- 

 cause any bird is better than none 

 at all. But in the country, where Sparrow crowds 

 Chickadee, White-breast, and Downy from the feed- 

 ing-station, and drives Bluebird, Wren and Martin 

 from the houses we have erected for them, even the 

 most tender-hearted bird-lover must regard him as 

 a pest. 



It is true that he can no more help being a Spar- 

 row than Blue Jay can help being a Blue Jay. But 

 Blue Jay has good looks and some traits to com- 

 mend him, while it is difficult to find anything to 

 admire in a Sparrow. 



His plumage rarely looks bright and clean; his 



voice is harsh and discordant, and he seems to be 



45 



