894 General Notes, [August, 
PSYCHOLOGY. 
THe ENGLISH SPARROW 1N CanapDA.—My first observation of 
the English sparrow in Canada was in 1874. In June of that year 
a pair was observed about the out-houses, and in a few days they 
became quite familiar, having evidently made up their minds to 
stay with us. I made them welcome for old acquaintance sake, 
and thinking they would make good settlers was about to put up 
a house for them, but before my well-meant intentions were car- 
ried out it became apparent that they were providing for them- 
selves in a manner quite characteristic. 
On a peak of the stable was a box occupied by a pair of swal- 
lows who were at this time engaged in rearing their young, 4 
of this box the sparrows seemed determined to get possession. 
The swallows resisted their attacks with great spirit, and, their =, 
outcries bringing a host of friends to their assistance, the intrud- 
ers were for a time driven off, but it was only to return again with 
renewed energy and perseverance. The swallows were now sorely 
from the place, leaving the sparrows in undisputed possession 
the box, and there they remained and raised some young ones 
during the summer. oe 
In the spring of the following year the numbers had incr 
and they began to roost under the veranda round the house, 
which brought frequent complaints from the sanitary departm ie 
and a protest was made against their being allowed to lodge there 
at all. Still, in view of the prospective riddance of insect aie 
from the garden, matters were arranged with the least es 
disturbance to the birds, and we even stood by and saw them ¢ a 
lodge a pair of house wrens who had for years been in pose 
of a box fixed for them in an apple tree in the garden. So the nie - 
ond year wore on, no farther notice being taken of the sparrow" 
except that they were getting more numerous. fte > 
I had missed the sprightly song and lively manners ee 
wrens, and in the spring when they came round agam, 
their usual industrious manner. They had only enjoy 
sion for two days, however, when they were again QIS 
