Evening star., 1944-08-07
This and That
By Charles E. Trace1DeH.
18th STREET.


Dear Sir:
May I tell you about a bird drama
which was enacted on my window sill A.?
1T sounds like yarn, but every
word is true
Birds, usually sparrows, are in the
habit of visiting my window sill to
get the bread and to play in the pan
OF water which I keep there for them.
This is what 1 saw recently:
"a female sparrow had picked up a
piece Of bread Suddenly a male SPAR
row appeared out of nowhere bristling
with Indignation
He knocked the bread from her
mouth and then proceeded to pick the
crumbs out of her bill, she holding it
open for him to do so, like little
goose.
Then with an angry twirp he
snatched up the bread which she had
dropped and flew away. This happened
three times.
Il didn't see where he went The
lady bird avoided the pieces of bread
after this and picked and ate only the
tiny crumbs lying about
please tell me what was back Of
these actions which seem to me most
human.
Sincerely. L. K p"
Most people would like to believe that
this was just male sparrow showing
his authority, but there is an equal
chance that it might have been a father
bird trying to teach one of it's children
not to eat too large pieces of food. Also
he might have been getting some food
to carry back to new brood.
English sparroWs have about five
broods year, and the number of babies
may run to IS in season.
1t may be realized that the parent
birds will have to work hard to find
food for all these young.
We do not believe that any full
grown female sparrow would calmly
hold open her bill in such a manner.
This smacks of the immature or ju-
venile sparrow, quite large, but show
ing its immaturity by such an action.
Such large baby is still under the
full command of the father and mother,
and is willing to do what either de-
mands.
their young is a question. Just as
very human way, SO the mother and
father birds at times seen. to be show
ing the babies how to conduct them
selves in very difficult world.
Finding and eating food is one of the
great duties and sports of bird life, just
as it is with US. We have managed to
clothe food pursuit and enjoyment with
mannerisms which tend to detract from
the elementary nature of the pursuit
But the birds have no such artifices
Getting and eating food is with them
one Of the primary duties. and they
know it from infancy. Much aid is
given them by putting out food at all
seasons. In cold weather they find it
difficult to get, and in hot weather
food supplied them will go a long waC
toward helping them take care of their
babies. 1t will also permit more birds
to nest in a given area. Supplies of
insects and worms, including most of
the pests which feed on grains and
other foodstuffs, are spread out over
the acres From centuries of experience
the songbirds know just about how
many species may nest in any area
They seldom exceed this, except where
food is put out for them. Scientists
even tell us that their songs are due
at least in part, to desire to stake out
territorial claim, and to warn other
birds thereby to keep away. In addi-
ton to having love motif, bird song
also says, Keep away from here! All
within the sound of my voice belongs
to mel" There is, of course, some over
tapping
The English sparrows form an in
teresting tribe, and will afford any un-
prejudiced observer much amusement
and some instruction. With proper
food their colors become deeper and
clearer. Those living in the suburban
areas are larger and cleaner than
specimens living in the city. The only
species which they seem to drive away
are chickadees and titmice. These, OF
course. constitute . real loss.