1883.] Psychology. 895 
Again the intruders were killed off, and domestic felicity reigned 
for three days, when a third pair of sparrows came along, bent 
the same object, and, if possible, more overbearing and determined 
than their predecessors. This time I thought of a different mode 
of accomplishing the object in view, and taking down the box at 
night, nailed a shingle over the end and worked it flush round the 
edges ; with a centre bit a hole was then pierced just large enough 
to admit the wrens, but too small for the sparrows, and the box 
put back in its place. Early in the morning the assault was re- 
newed, but the wrens found at once that they were masters of the 
situation, and never were two birds more delighted. From his 
perch aloft the male poured forth torrents of scorn and ridicule, 
while the female inside the box fairly danced with delight, and I 
almost fancied was making faces at their enemy as he strug 
ineffectually to gain admission or sullenly, but fruitlessly, tried to 
widen the aperture. 
Shortly after this dispute was settled I noticed ten or twelve 
sparrows quietly at work at the grave vine, and, feeling pleased 
at the havoc they were apparently making among the insects, 
passed on, speculating mentally on the probable increase of fruit 
I would have. In the afternoon they had moved to another trel- 
lis, and I thought, “ Well, they are doing the work systematically 
and, no doubt, effectually.” But shortly afterwards, while pass- 
ing the trellis where they commenced, a slight débris of greenery 
was observed along under the vines. This led to an examination, 
which showed, to my intense mortification, that the heart ha 
been eaten out of every fruit bud where the birds had been, and 
nothing left but the outside leaves. The report of firearms was 
heard several times in the garden that afternoon, many dead and 
wounded sparrows were left to the care of the cats, and every 
crevice where the birds were known to breed closed up at once. 
Since then the wrens have kept possession of their box, and 
with a little attention I can keep the sparrows out of the garden, 
as they find plenty of provender round the stables; but they are 
still on the increase, and if this continues in the future as in the 
past, the time is not far distant when the streets and stable yards 
will not furnish food enough for the increased numbers, and there 
is no question but they will then betake themselves to the ficids 
and gardens and take whatever suits them. This is the serious 
view of the subject which has called for legislation in other coun- 
tries, and may do so here unless some unexpected check arises 
to prevent the necessity for it. 
In the mean time it is well that all parties having opportunity 
should take notes of the movements and increase of the birds for 
future consideration —TJ. Mc/iwraith. Hamilton, C. W. 
_Instinct or Reasoning Powers IN THE Horse.—Not long 
Since a fine blooded mare was brought here from Kentucky and 
