264 THE ENGLISH SPARROW IN AMERICA, 



body-guard, which was augmented by several more Sparrows. This was too much 

 for the robiu, and, pausing but an instant on this tree, he started off swiftly across 

 the ^rounds, as if determined not to stop again until he could stoj) alone. I watched 

 him several hundred yards on his way, and saw one or two Sparrows turn hack, hut 

 the majority still followed as he went out of sight. 



Again, on April 26, I saw a robin in the Congressional Gardens followed persistently 

 about in the same way by a single English Sparrow, apparently a female. While 

 watching to see the outcome of this matter my attention was distracted for a moment 

 by a yellow warbler, and on looking again both robin and Sparrow had disappeared 

 and were not seen again. 



Many times in this city, and at least twice in Boston, Mass., I have seen domesti- 

 cated pigeons chased and attacked by single Sparrows, precisely as a kingbird attacks 

 a crow ; the Sparrow trying to strike the pigeon on the head, and following it in every 

 case several blocks before giving up the chase. I did not in any of these cases see the 

 origin of the trouble, and so do not know what was the cause of attack. (April 

 27, 1887.) 



More recently I have seen a Sparrow attack and drive off a warbling vireo ; and it 

 is an every-day occurrence to see Sparrows persecuting robins, and snatching from 

 them the worms and insects which they so carefully search out on the grass ground. 



Only a few pairs of robins have nested on the Agricultural grounds this season, but 

 whenever one appears upon the grass he is very soon confronted by from one to five 

 Sparrows, which watch every motion and attempt to seize everything eatable which 

 he finds. I have seen the robin lose in this w~ay angle-worms and cut-worms, be- 

 sides other species too small to identify positively. (June 15, 1887.) 



IVashington (Smithsonian Institution). Rohert Ridgway. In some instances pur- 

 ple martins successfully resist the encroachments of the Sparrow, and song sparrows, 

 being of very different habits, hold their own. Bluebirds and wrens resist uutil they 

 find the task hopeless. The bluebird, house wren, Bewick's wren, and purple martin 

 are affected far more than any other species, for the reason that their nesting sites 

 arc taken possession of by the Sparrows. (Februarys, 1887. Present sixteen or sev- 

 enteen years.) 



Washington. William Saunders, superintendent of garden and grounds, U. S. De- 

 partment of Agriculture : I do not think that native birds have been much affected 

 in this city by the Sparrows. Birds seem to be as numerous about the Agricultural 

 grounds now as -formerly. I have, however, often seen Sparrows watching robins 

 while hunting earth-worms, and have repeatedly seen them snatch a worm from the 

 robin as soon as it had been dragged from the ground. (April 13, 1887.) 



Georgia.— AJpharetta. William A. Porter: For years past the swallows have raised 

 their young in the chimneys and niches of the court-house here, but now for two years 

 the Sparrows have ^taken possession of these places. (September 8, 1886. Present 

 about two years.) 



Fairburn. George Latham: The Sparrow molests nearly all of our native birds, 

 but they sinrply change their haunts, not going far unless again attacked. (October 

 16, 1886. Present three years or more.) 



Kingston. Postmaster: It drives off all other birds; the mockingbird and blue- 

 bird fight it very hard, but the Sparrow whips them. (October 11, 1886. Present 

 about two years.) 



Macon. Prof. J. E. Willet : I have known it to oust the red-headed woodpecker 

 from its nest; the catbird, however, raised two broods this year on my lot, where 

 Sparrows are abundant. (November 2, 1886. Present ten to twelve years.) 



Savannah. J. N. Johnson: It has driven off most of our native birds from the 

 parks and trees within the city. The warblers are seldom seen now, and the absence 

 of mockingbirds, redbirds, nonpareils, and especially house [chipping] sparrows, is 

 notable. (October 7, 1886. Present about eight years.) 



Illinois.— J ledo. J. F. Henderson : The blue jay seems to be the only bird which 

 can resist its encroachments. (September 29, 1886. Present one or two years.) 



