The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-08-25

IDENTITY despised him. He answered b;
call for call and louder than his oba1
lenger but did not deign to touch him l a.
the ragged-looking fellow attemntad. =
enter the honey-SuckleS, when inStoTs
the little hero flew furiously at him asi
he retired. Then madam came ont 81 aul
scolded him, and he returned to I.
ledge to rest and get his breath.
After awhile another candidate for
favor arrived on the sill. This wo1 IS
different looking bird; for much aHke.
are sparrows there are difference Il
manner and looks readily seen ON cloo
examination. The second wooer Wa
bright and full of life as bird could
No crouching down in this ease
weak forced challenge. He looked SAM
ly at the unfortunate he had come toor,
out, bristled up and delivered his CALI.
a loud, defiant tone. and was ready !
battle at once for the home in the bo6o.
suckles. This fellow too was a difia,,:.
foe in the eyes of the poor little cock an
the lodge. He did not answer his Chi
lenge; lie crouched low against h.
house; his head sank, and thought /.
was dying.
So perhaps did the rival, for he fl.
boldly into the vines. That reused II.
dropping hero. In defense of his hesrb
stone he would rise almost from II.
dead. He flew instantly and drove Hin
away, returning at once to his post. AZ
ter little madam herself alighted q
the sill with the rival in full view of ba
despised spouses but be put them to ng
like whirlwind.
On this day he took up q new STAN
on the very corner of the roof, where
could overlook. the window aud also ; 4
the hOney-suckle vines from both sid.
There he would lie long time caln,
and driving away those who presume
to interfere with his domestic affsir
This was an exciting day about the bon.
ey-suckles. full of challenges, scoldiRg,
furious attacks and probably, too, st
fering. for the little hero often Seemed
exhausted and l feared he would no
survive his accumulated calamities
Once, toward night, madam aligbtej
in the usual place with one who was
plainly lover. He began to puff out
his feathers and assume the airs Of a
sutton, when down upon him from hi,
post on the roof came the avenging hus.
band and drove him away in a twink.
ling. The hen did not fly, however and
her spouse alighted near her. She be-
gan to scold, but he tried to make love
to her. Come" said his manner. lets
make up; l shall not always be so h+p.
less as now" But every time he tdsl
to approach her she turned her bill To-
ward him. talking vigorously. ''Yodn
n good-for-nothing," one could 2lmz
hear her say; you'll neither help
Yourself nor let any one else, and ha
I'm nearly worked to death and the
bies like TO starve" Then he coau
again, but she refused him harshly s.
flew to the nest.
This curious scene took place towar
evening. but the next morning thing 4
had changed. He was better and bright
ar everyway, could get about mueh
more easily on his one leg and saw DC
more of rivals. He went in and out Of II
he honeysuckles, quite often. Some
lines he was greeted by scolding snd
by the fine chirping of the lit
lie ones, but he went as often IS be
'hOSC' OHuCI llllo new tSptCL VI tulugs
lie began to WOO back his mate. and si
er awhile she would come out on tht
window sill in amiable mood and gres
ove-making went on. Evening closei
IN restored peace and harmony in th
title household. '.ss
The next morning the little hero vs.
bile to hop upon the greenhouse rod
or crumbs, Standing up pertly on b
ingle leg, though his movement wSi
ueer one-sided sort of jerk, which gs0
i'm a most comical air. Now his spOgS
him to the ground and til
ear tree, as do all decorous spsrrOs
Tives, and before noon both devoted
to the charming task Of
eaching the little ones to fly.
Often during the day I saw one little
lssy sparrowling squatted on the win
ow sill which had been the scene of bis
apa's suffering and pain. another on
ne greenhouse roof, both skrieking for
,od, for help, for the world to see how
ravely they got on, while the busy
lamma coaxed them in vain to try an'
Their flight, alternately encouraging
18th crumb or reproying with a Sigh
eek on the head, and the one-leggt
ero-his troubles now happily at
on the edge of the rod
eering over with greatest interest
le pretty OliCe Zh0rne AIld
. oar Continent. .r