The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-04
THE PUGNACIoUs SPARROW.
An Audacious Pirate mud PIuna-<er,
But Never Lacking Friends.

The chattering. puguaciOus and all
i around Independent sparrow has had a
happy time in this city during the present
] winter. No billiards or lasting SHOWS or
continuous below zero weather have inter
fered with his comfort or contentment. He
is a nuisance OF the first water but, if he
knows il. he doesn't care a red copper for
it. He pursues the even tenor Of his way,
which is that of a pirate, plunderer. and
pillager. with no more conscience in his
fat bosom than there is in a whitewaShed
pump. Though there was for a long time,
and still is, in many quarters a supreme
| hatred OF the monopolistic bird, IL seems
that long communion with him has tended
to secure for him many friends. True, he
has driven from the city's beautiful parks
the glorious Baltimore Oriole with its
wealth of song, the trilling larks that
made the mornings ring with melody, the
robin red breasts that Tended additional
hues to the budding foliage OF springtime.
and all other birds that had a right to be
here. but the sparrow holds his own. and
is gaining in respect more and more every
day.
There is actually something in the spar
row that, despite his audaciousness and
innate wickedness. inspires respect. Per-
haps il is his industry for in that re-
spect he is a competent rival OF Satan
He always provides himself with home.
Any old place will do. He generally gets
a secure nest, in cornices or rafters in
church steepIes or under bridges. in va
cant houses or anywhere on the earth or
somewhere above it, in easy reach of the
ground. and is perfectly ontented. He
provides himself with plurality Of wives.
and if he wants more goes out and fights
his neighbor. and if a victor, increases his
harem and goes on his way rejoicing.
People generally have no idea of how
many friends the sparrow bird has In the
community. In the city he is absolutely
secure. though In the country, when he
goes there, he often furnishes forth fruit
for the breakfast table, where, served on
toast, he is no ito be despised. But in the
town-in this town. at any rate-he is
harbored and fed and succored generally.
Let one take a walk in the early winter
morning when the snow is on the ground
and everything frozen up, and he will find
spsrrows in front Of mansions OF all de-
grees with breakfast spread out for them
by multitude OF mistresses and maids OF
kind hearts and charitable souls. \ Times
man. talking with policeman few days
ago. learned that a number OF house.
holders. principally the mistresses, made
it point every morning to scatter crumbs
to the birds. The little devils couldn't
starve II the snow was ten feet deep.
said the policeman. They know when
breakfast is ready for them at certain
houses. and they're always on time when
the bell rings. / s'pose," he said. its
all right, and the good women who care
for them score point or two above for
their charity"
The sparrow. however. Is not a grateful
bird. He doesn't know the FIRST note Of
song. and II he did. he probably wouldn't
sing. but would keep right along waking
people up In the morning with his chat
tering and driving every decent gay piu-
mayed and Christian bird away from tho
beautiful parks into the wilderness Of the
woods to waste the sweetness OF his
melody upon the desert air.