Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-01
DIR BIRDS.

The nonopolistic English sparrow mas
had much to do of late In
Aside from those domestic duties winch
usually engross his attention at TINS sea-
son. he has been called upon to repel an
invasion of smaller birds which nave re-
Gently filled the trees of our city anu
made the air melodious with their blitne
melodies. In Monroe Park and the Capt.
tol Square we have noted the presence
Of hundreds of feathered visitors mat
are vainly essaying to find a resting
Mace here. on sunny days, when the
breath of fragrant spring proclaims the
lows of natures resurrection, these pref
ty little visitors unite in a grand chorus
that is truly beautiful. But through IL
all we hear the shrill chirp OF the sooty
sparrow, and never for a moment does lie
waive his pugnacious proclivities. The
fight is continuous, and will end, as it
ALWAYS does. in the aliens victory. When
he cannot win single-handed he unites In
hands. and with undivided front assails
the timid visitors. 1t is safe to say mat
ere a month has passed the sparrow will
he master of the field, and that his Of
fensive individuality will be thrust upon
us on every hand. But meanwhile we
NAV enjoy. as in days Of old, the sweet
melody of V%irginia's song-birds, which
carries us back to our childhood and
brings TO our minds the long-departed
visions Of rural life.
a. - - lst4ia nrrfthn1noirnl
interest TO study the reasons for this
vernal visitation of strange birds, and
TO seek the reasons for their retreat be-
fore the sparrow. One almost sees in 1t
a prototype of that great racial change
whereby our aborigines have fallen back
before the inexorable march of Anglo
Saxon civilization. But in the case OF
the birds we would fain ave it the other
way. for aside from his energy and push,
we find little in the English sparrow to
admire.
The birds which have lately been visit
ing here are principally of that species
which we find in the rsral districts OF
Virginia at all seasons, though some Of
them evidently hail from SUMMER climes.
Early in March q solitary robin, with a
feathery ball of fire on his breast, alight-
ed in Monroe Park, and, perching on the
highest trees. surveyed the inhospitable
field. He was assaulted on all sides by
his urban enemies, and retreated before
his assailants. And after him came the
brown wren and the yellow sapsucker,
and our own modest little Virginia spar
row. which is an exquisite chorister.
SO far these gentle little visitors have
held their ground, though by a very pre-
carious tenure, and We know not when
their warnings will be hushed by that
bellicose chirper, the English sparrow. A
few days ago some OF the walkways in
the Capitol Square were filed with
coveys Of brier-birds, which had alighted
to pick the worms attracted TO the sur
face by the spring rains. The little fiocks
Of gold and black songsters took COM
plete possession of this territory and so
disputatious sparrow held his peace and
allowed them fun sway. But the
strangers. doubtless knowing full v yell
the difficulties of their visit, will soon
depart for more peaceful lands. We
who love nature would rejoice to see the
English sparrow seek another cline. but
his importation is the result OF our own
folly. and we must bear the consequences.
"
Members of the Fourteenth New York
(Brooklyn Regiment will unite In Offer
ing the command of their regiment to