ENGLISH SPARROWS. 671 
which they occupied was severed from the trunk by the writer’s 
request, and deposited in his collections. The birds were suc- 
cessful in bringing to maturity a family of twelve children. Mr. 
Willis informs me that the robins and sparrows were frequent vis- 
itors to the tree during the early part of the season, and their 
movements seemed to indicate a desire to build; but the coming 
of the house sparrows was the cause of a dispute in which the rob- 
ins and our native sparrows were compelled to yield, and look for 
suitable quarters élsewhere. While engaged in nidification and 
incubation, he further informed me, not a bird is permitted to 
approach within ten paces of the nest, for the male is ever on the 
alert for intruders, and wreaks instant vengeance upon their te- 
merity. The tree which held the nest being in close proximity to 
his residence, sitting within his back door, he could command a 
full view of the surrounding prospect, and observe every manœuvre 
of the sparrows. He had witnessed frequent encounters between 
the innocent sparrows and the robins and our native sparrows, and 
always noticed that the former were the aggressors. At the time 
of writing-the sparrows still continue to visit the old apple tree, 
the scene of their former joys and pleasures. 
The editor of the “ Weekly Guide” of Germantown, last spring 
published the observations of several of our most prominent citi- 
zens, bearing upon this subject, in which were stated facts similar 
to what have been detailed. In the cases to which he referred, 
the sparrows were always the aggressive party, and what indi- 
Vidual courage and strength failed to accomplish, was brought 
about through the medium of numbers. Instances were cited where 
the robins and blue birds were beset by numbers of the sparrows, 
and were completely banished from sites rendered dear and sacred 
by past associations and recollections. What our citizens partic- 
ularly bewail is the utter repugnance which the sparrows mani- 
fest towards our smaller species. In certain localities referred to 
in the above publication, the sparrows had taken complete pos- 
Session, and the familiar forms and voices of the song and chip- 
Ping sparrows, the robin and blue bird, are recollections of the 
Past, save when an occasional chirp bespeaks the presence of one 
(Of these friends, come back to take, perhaps, & last far ewal of 
Scenes which memory holds dear, to be instantly chased into ob- 
Scurity, 
