St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1899-02-25
NESTS ON TALL BUILDINGS
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Since the tall office buildings have
come into vogue the sparrows have
gone upward to build their nests, and
broods are reared every season io0 feet
or more above the street. The yeung
fiedgelings 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
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 q
few days ago at old Trinity. The
steeple of the church is a 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 steeple
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 to the hard pave
ment below. His vain efforts to use
his wings only multiplied his strange
gyrations 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 fly
with the bird on their soulders. 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 a
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 fight of the
hedgeling 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 fiedgeling 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 10 the roofs below, and from
there to the streets.
The first attempts 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
and then attempt to turn .
sharp angle. They are not always sue
cesssful and sometimes begin to descend
before they have reached the edge OF
the roof; but il there is danger of their
missing it the parent birds flop against
them with such force as to knock them
several feet toward The building. II is
a rude way to treat the little ones. but
il is safe and effectual.-Our Animal
Friends