Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1899-02-11
NESTS OH TALL BUILDINGS.
sIsyscrnpcrs Arc Fnvorite Places for
the Birds of cities to
build On.

Since the tall Office buildings have
come into vogue the sparrows have
gone upward to build their nests. and
broods are reared every season 100 feet
or more above the street. The young
fedgelings are safe from cats and an
noying small boys, but their security
in that respect is offset by the danger of
falling out of the nest. The parent
birds are so fearful of such an accident
that one or the other stands guard at
all hours of the day. When the time
approaches for the young birds TO fly
the parents show their anxiety in many
ways. They seem to try to induce their
young to remain in their nests until
their wings are strong enough to sup
port them; but If one should flop out be-
fore the proper time the two old birds
go to the rescue.
An instance of this kind happened a
few days ago at old Trinity. The
steeple of the church is favorite breed
ing place of the sparrows. and clumsy
nests are poked away in every nook and
corner. In nest perched nearly up to
the cross that surmounts the steepe
the second brood of young sparrows
have just reached the flying age, and
the other day the foremost youngster
Topped over the side of the nest and
came tumbling down 10 the hard pave
ment below. His vain efforts to use
his wings only multiplied his strange
gyrnt tions through the air, but before
he could reach the ground the two pa
rent sparrows had dashed downward in
/ time to receive him on their backs.
1t was impossible for them to 1y
with the bird on their souders, but
they glided slowly downward with
wings outspread until they reached the
top of the trees, where they managed
! TO land the youngster among the shell
tering branches. Then they gave
chirp of delight and returned to the
nest to warn the others against any
such foolhardy venture.
The first lessons in flying are very
difficult for young birds reared in such
| high homes. The first flight of the
fedgeling must of necessity be short,
and if he should attempt to fly down
ward to the streets below, or, if the
high building stands alone, they teach
the fedgeling to jump from their nest
straight out and then upward, and at
last back again toward the building.
They thus describe an upward circle
and land with flop upon the roof.
On these tall roofs the young birds
receive their regular lessons, flying
back and forth in perfect safety, with
neither cats nor small boys to disturb
them, and there they remain until their
strength and their wings are fully de-
veloped. Then they are taught to fly
down TO the roofs below. and from
there to the streets.
The first tattempts of the young birds
to fly from their nests to the roof over
head are amusing. They jump out into
! space and fiutter with uncertain fight
upward, and then attempt to turn a
sharp angle. They are not always sue
cesssful and sometimes begin to descend
before they have reached the edge of
the roof; but if there is danger of their
missing it the parent birds flop against
them with such force as 10 knock them
several feet toward the building. 1t is
q rude way to treat the little ones, but
il is safe and effectual.-Cur Animal
| Friends