Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-13
BATTLES IN THE AIR.
Not Between Navies Graphing in the Blue,
but Between Birds.

but DetNeth birur.
From the Lewiston Journal.
Its the custom nowadays 20 speak OF the
English sparrow as if be were the only quar-
relsome member of the flock. while all the rest
of the feathered songsters dwelt in peace and
harmony. But there's many a deadly battle
waged in the tree tops in which no immigrant
from over the sea has a bill. The blue birds
and the swallows have been CARRYING on a long
warfare over a martin house. and the outcry up
there followed by the expulsion Of one bird
with two or three Of his enemies in close Dur
suit Is nothing unusual
few weeks ago, when the Japanese ounces
were in blossom. there were always two OF more
humming birds lowering over each bush. On
one of the bright feeding grounds the daily
visitors were but three-a pair of birds and one
lone songster. That poor winged widower or
bachelor Jared hardly at the hands 81 his two
fellow-laborers. The pair divided their Il %
about equally between gathering insects AID
chasing off what they were pleased TO consider
the intruder on their preserves. Hardly bite
could he get for their attentions. But he was
persevering. He'd fly or TO a neighboring
pear tree, and soon rs his pursuers' backs
were turned like fash Of light he was back
again. trying 90 get his bill into flower before
one Of his rivals saw him. But IL was two
against one, and be must have often gone hun
CRY TO bed or else ed up his supper else-
where.
Sometimes the results Of the battles are more
tragic. The home Of a pair Of cuckoos who had
planned to spend long and happy summer in
the suburbs OF Lewiston has been broken up
and only one now remains, and that one too sad
to sing. Its mate found one morning living
under a rose bush, with fatal wound n its
side, made by a kingbird's sharp bill. The
wounded songster was picked up and tenderly
cared for, but he Was past all remedies. But
his enemy did not long survive HIM. Aweek or
two later some lookers-on saw duel between q
warrior that lookel like that same king bIrd and
plucky young robin who fought as # lie meant
10 get revenge for the numerous indiguities his
race had suffered at the hands of the whole tribe
of tyrannus intrepidus. And victory perclied
upon his banners. At the end Of n hard-fought
battle the kingbird lay dead the ground.
while the robin retired 20 the branches Of tree,
where he spent the rest OF the forenoon resting
from his hard labors.
Nor do these little warriors confne their
valor TO combats with their own kind. In an
emergency they will attack even a more for
midHble enemy. Let any one who doubts this
try to take siesta under tree containing a
nest of Young robins. How the parent birds
will scold and occasionally swoop down in the
forlorn hope OF frightening of the unwelcome
visitor. They have been known 10 attack cats
and put this dreaded foe of theirs 20 flight. too
though, perhaps, they are not apt 10 worry
this enemy as are the Swallows The writer %
this the other day moved TO 60 20 the
cue of the family cat. which started up from
nap on the dooatep TO snarl and spit at some
unseen enemy, at~first supposed 10 be dog.
Pity changed TO blame as the feline paw
raised TO strike at what was then discovered to
be a bird Buta second more proved that the cat
was not TO blame that time. IL was the barn
swallow that was the aggressor. and that showed
no signs Of giving up the advantage IL had
gained in finding Its enemy mapping. till the
opening Of door 20 let the cat in frightened
the winged warrior away.