The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-05-20

SVNb kEMANkAbik< CASES, AtM0H1
HUMAN SKILL, FoREsloHr, n WEAK.
NEseRS.
fFrom the Residing ipal Times and D,spa,chl
a nest built by English spsrrows was re.
moved from behind one OF the shutters of n
third story window on the Penn-stree, front
Of the Mansion House. The nest was a
marvel Of successful building. The outside
was composed Of sticks. straw, twigs O!
trees, and rough material iugeniously
worked together, while the interior was
as soft as elder down, having been
constructed OF feathers, cotton, aud
hlaments OF silk. The most remarkable
feature OF this nest. however, In the
fact that II was attached to the shutter by
strings, which were entwined around the
nest, aud fastened In such a manner az to
display all the elements OF human skill.
Unfortunately the nest wa not preserved.
It would have been an interesting addi-
ton 10 a collection Of natural ell: ~iosities.
Along the southern wall OF tue residence OF
James Jameson, Esq, on north Sixth
street. adjoining the courthouse, there
been built by English spsrrows among
the branches Of an ivy vine. The
sparrows have been very busy for some
time In "house-cleaning" and preparing
their nests for the summe campaign. They
have been observed flying TO and fro with
pieces Of paper, cotton, and other soft ma
'eriaIS in their bills. A sparrow having a
long piece OF cotton In its bill made a num-
Der Of efforts to reach one Of the highest
points on the vine, but was thwsrled by
the wind, which invariably blew the cot
ton away, and caused it to fall to
the ground. Finally several sparrows
were observed in q group, evidently in
consultation. and presently an attack
was made by the birds upon the cotton,
ard In a few moments it was pulled to
pieces and each sparrow flew away with a
portion. Several English sparrows found
a lodging-place in a rolled-up awning in
front OF the Gem Bakery, on north Fifth
street, near Washington. They entered The
awning at the end. and had a most secure
place during the winter and spring against
cold, wind, and storms. In front OF No.
All Washington street English sparrowS
have peeled off all the bark from the dead
limb Of a tree, the bark having been used
for ~nest-building. The birds tore it of in
narrow strips, and while engaged in their
operations displayed wonderful patience
and good management.
From The Chester Times.l
A few weeks ago 4 sparrow built her nest
In one OF the trees in the yard around
Mayor ForwOOd's residence, and in a short
time three or four pretty little sparrows
were Matched out. There was nothing
particularly strange in this, but what is to
follow seems 10 us a little above anything
In reference to the sparrow that we have
heard. Thursday evening while the
storm was raging and the wind whist
ling through every branch Of the
trees, making it decidedly uncom-
Portable TO be out, the mother sparrow,
true to the instinct which prompts every
thing 10 care for its young, carried the lit.
tie Sparrows from the nest 10 the corner Of
a Window-sill, away from the severe wca-
Their, and then carried the nest dowD, put
the little ones in it, and rested safely from
the storm all night. she and her young
were well cared for. Ii this had not been
done the young sparrows would no doubt
have been drowned.
from Land and Wster.J
\ short time ago, writes Il contributor
from Whitby, Il friend OF mine saw two
sparrows-male and female-which evil
IDENTITY had some dispute TO settle, as they
.twittered about each other for some time,
then commenced in downright earnestness
TO fight. Being unmolested IN this de-
moralizing game, they continued in
close combat for several minutes, neither
giving in to the other, and to all
appearances they had made up their
minds to fight unit! "there was nothing
left but their tails" My friend, having no
particular call upon his time, thought he
would see the end of the fray, il end there
was 10 be. so he watched the pugnaci0us bi.
peds until it was a mutual "giye ill.," thew
having fought until they could neither walk
nor fly. lie then quietly walked up and
deliberately picked the combatants up, Just
as he would have picked up anything life
less, so powerless were they to get out OF
his reach.
From the OIL City (Pa) nerrick.J
While stopping at the depot at Williams
port a few days ago q Derrick reporters
attention was called BY the depot master to
a sparrow's nest built inside the large
gong at the depot, and which sounded Tor
the departure of trains. The gong Is about
eighteen inches in diameter, and when
struck by its large hammer, 1t has a deaf
ening sound. Notwithstanding the racket
made BY the gong a pair OF sparrows have
butt their nest right over the knocker, and
let it ring loud as il may one OF the spar
rows will remain on the nest, and the other
has been frequently observed 10 sit upon
the iron OF the knOcker while it is striking,
app%arently not in the least disconnected by
The din.
DIR. TUFTS PILLS.
uyIr11U,S DII IS