The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-13
HAIL TO THE SPARROW.


South Bend Qnd) Tribune.
The Tribune has always been friend to
the English sparrow and has defended this
course the sparrow is disagreeable at times
ofttmes, perhaps, because of his numerous
ness, his persistence in taking up his abode
in neighborhoods where his presence is not
desired, his never-ceasing activity and his
never-ending chatter. Yet while we may
call this bird a nuisance and legislatures
pass laws placing a bounty upon his ener-
getic little head in order to secure his ex-
termination if possible. all these charac-
teristics named are to his credit.
There is a lesson in the sparrow's life. In
the first place he is a progressive bird and
will always be found where the march of
civilization is the greater and where human
population is thickest. He is in no sense
tinsid or weak. He will stake out claim
for a home in the most aristocratic cave or
the loftiest cornice of the big cities and per-
sist in maintaining his rights there long
as life lasts He is a sociabe being and be
lieves in the value of numbers. He win
never be found playing the part Of the her
nit or recluse. He seems 10 take delight In
keeping the streets and gardens and lawns
clean and is the busiest and most effective
garbage system in some respects that any
city has. He is as industrious the ant.
ana does not cease MS ldDOGS Wnlle the DAY
lasts. His vesper hymn and his morning
song are not especially musical, but they
are interesting in their regularity, their
rhythm and their racket. There are no soft
spots in his larynx, no pianissamo passages
in his music. He has no regard for express
sion, opens with a full tone. keeps ii up all
through and shuts down abruptly at the
finale. He is vigorous singer and is al
ways ready to tune up without asking. 1t
makes no difference whether he sings a
solo, in duet or chorus, he is the same
loud screecher on every occasion and in any
capacity. He sings or chatters while he
works and let's no time go to waste. The
vocal efforts of the sparrow are not alto
gether desirable and for this reason he is
regarded as somewhat of a nuisance, but
one soon becomes accustomed to his noise,
and gets lonesome without it.
A new virtue has been found in the spar
row that will rebound ever TO his popular
ity If what is claimed for him proves true.
He is said to be d deadly enemy TO the To-
Gust as well as every other thing of the
insect kind. large or small. Now If the To-
Gusts come TO US this season, as is predicted
on their 18th year visit. in great focks,
cover the fields and destroy Verdure of all
kinds, and the sparrow attacks the pest in
great flocks also and annihilates il, what
will be our feelings towards the little busy.
saucy bird? VIII we not hail him as a
benefactor. and be sorry that we ever said
an unkind word of him? Will we now allow
him to even build his nest over our front
doors and never drive him away? If the
sparrow will but do this when the oppcrtu-
nifty arrives, SnOu4d IL arrive, ne Will be
the greatest bird on earth and no mistake.
People who now look upon him with dis
dain and wish he were far away off on
some distant island and could never get
away from II. will be glad he is here and
will never complain of his inharmonious
music at 5 O'Clock in the morning. nor OF
his habits OF appropriating others premises
as his own. Hail 10 the sparrow every DAY
ii he will prove himself as a locust exter-
minator provided the locusts come around
We will anxiously await this coming meet
ing between the locust hosts and the great
company Of English sparrows In our midst