The evening times., 1898-05-17
The Monopoli.,se BsrA.


The monopolistic English sparrow has
had much to do of late in Richmond
Aside from those domestic duties which
usually engross his attention at this sea-
son. he has been called upon to repel an
invasion of smaller birds which have re-
Gently filled the trees of our city and
made the air melodious with their blithe
melodies. In Monroe Park and the Capt.
toi Square we have noted the presence of
hundreds of feathered visitors that are
vainly essaying to find a Nsting place
here. On sunny days, when the breath
of fragrant spring proclaims the joys of
natures resurrection. these pretty little
visitors unite in a grand chorus that is
truly beautiful. But through 1t all We
hear the shrill chirp of the sooty spar
row. and never for a moment does he
waive his pugnacious proclivities. The
fight is continuous and will end. as ii al
ways does. in the aliens victory When
he cannot win single-handed he unites in
bands. and with undivided front assails
the timid visitors. 1t is safe to say that
ere month has passed the sparrow will
be master of the field. and that his offen-
sive individuality will be thrust upon us
on every handa But meanwhile We may
enjoy, as in days of old. the sweet mel
GUY VI NHsula sOHSDlTuS. Wnlcn car
ries us back TO our childhood and brings
to our minds the long-departed visions
of rural life
1t Is a matter of no little ornithological
interest to study the reasons for this
vernal visitation of strange BIRDS and to
seek the reasons for their retreat before
the sparrow. One almost sees in II a
prototype of that great racial change
whereby our aborigines have fallen back
before the inpYnr1hla arch aF
Saxon civilization. But in the case of
the birds we would fain have II the other
way, for aside from his energy and push.
We find little in the English sparrow to
admire. --e,fr
The birds which have lately been visit
ing here are principally of that species
which we find In the rural districts of
Virginia at all seasons, though some of
them evidently hail from summer cIimes.
Early in March a solitary robin, with
bail of fire on his breast aIigbt-
ed in Monroe Park, and, perching on the
highest trees. surveyed the inhospita able
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- 4
carious tenure. and we know not when
their warblings will be hushed by thai
bellicose chirper. the English sparrow. A
few days ago some of the walkways- in
the Capitol Square were filled with COW
eys of brier birds, which had alighted 10 |
pick the worms attracted to the surface |
by the spring rains. The little focks of |
gold and black songsters took complete |
possession of this territory. and so nu- |
nerous were they that for once the dispu-
tatious sparrow held his peace and al |
owed them full sway. But the strangers, d
doubtless knowing full well the Difficult |
ties of their visit. will soon depart for,5
more peaceful lands. We who love ma
ure would rejoice to see the English |
sparrow seek another cline, but his i'm
,ortation is the result of our own folly
Ind We must bear the consequences.