Bird lore - Project Puffin

340 Bird - Lore
just think of the enemies they have ! People hate them and chase them away
from their homes, boys throw stones at them and shoot them, and cats are
always waiting to make a nice meal of them. In spite of all this, they stand
their ground and chatter away and let all the world know what a brave race
they are. Mrs. Sparrow's husband is always good to her, and if anything
should ever happen to her, he will take the best of care of the nest and young.
Mr. and Mrs. Sparrow are always well dressed and choose very plain colors
for their clothes, and I think this shows that they are very sensible.
I have tamed these Sparrows and found them very good friends, and not
a bit of trouble. Now they bring their children to my window-sill to be fed
bread, and it certainly is a pretty sight to see them.
I hope the people who are always finding fault with these little folk will
take the time to learn some of their good points, and then I feel quite sure
they will have more friends in the future.
New York.
Mary Kouwenhoven, Brooklyn,
[This contribution combines two points of view, one to be commended, the other
to be discouraged. The point of view of observing the English Sparrow, particularly in
cities where few other species of birds make a home, and of. studying or taming it, is
commendable. Much can be learned in this way about the cycle of activities which
make up the complex life of a bird. In fact, anyone who has the opportunity to watch
only the English Sparrow need not say that it is not worth while to take up bird-study,
because one species thoroughly studied gives better results than twenty species known
indifferently and observed occasionally.
The point of view to be discouraged is that of attempting to read into the life, habits,
or appearance of any bird a sentimental or misapplied interpretation based upon human
experience. It is incorrect to say that a bird 'chooses' the colors of its plumage, whether
these be gay or somber. It is not strictly true that any bird knows the difference between
a 'palace' and a 'shed.' What it may know, if it has any well- developed instinct at the
nesting-season, is the difference between a safe and an unsafe nesting-site. A palace
is as good as a shed or a shed as a palace, provided it offers a safe site for the nest. It
is not accurate to state that the English Sparrow was needed in this country because
it was imported, or that it overbalances the damage it does by beneficial food-habits.
So far as is known, this Sparrow did far more harm than good for many years after its
reckless importation. It has now reached its maximum increase, probably in this
country, at least it is hoped so. Some observers send in occasional reports of noticing
that it has developed locally beneficial food-habits at certain seasons of the year, but
such observations are not frequent. There is much that we need to learn about this
species, as well as about the Starling, so that the study of both should be everywhere
encouraged. By means of accurate and widespread observations, a solution to the
unfortunate situation which now confronts us in this country, of allowing two introduced
species to harass and drive out our native birds, may be found.—A. H. W.]
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A PIGEON KILLS A SPARROW^
There was a pair of Sparrows in my pigeon coop since March 15, 1916.
Two pairs of Pigeons had Uttle ones and one pair had eggs, and the Sparrow
had a little nest. On March 20, the Pigeon with eggs killed the Sparrow.
The Pigeon hit him with his wings three times, and then pecked him on the