Evening star., 1944-09-09
This and That
By Charles Z. TraceueH.
VAN BUREN STREET

Dear Sir:
Recently, as was standing in the
back OF my garden, q sparrow from q
nearby tree came flying slowly and
directly toward me.
1t brushed up against my outstretch-
ed hand and alighted on the ground
In front Of me. It showed little Of the
fearful fluttering before strange hands
as I picked 1t up.
1T was a young female sparrow,
sparsely feathered at its neck. Its beak,
with some saliva gathering about it,
was half open.
1T crouched meekly in the open palm
OF my hand. For a moment I was be-
wildered by the occurrence, not realizing
the creatures plight.
But when I opened its beak, I
understood that the bird was choking.
for lodged half way down its throat was
Japanese beetle which it could neither
swallow nor eject.
The saliva about the birds beak was
bubbling up more thickly. Not without
some difficulty I finally removed the
insect.
Il gave the bird some water, which
1t drank. Then I held 1t out in the
palm of my hand to take its freedom.
After a minute or two it took flisht
toward a neighborjng tree.
The next morning was relating the
incident to my brother, standing on the
very same spot as on the day before.
and as was describing the birds hight.
the very same bird-there was no,mis.
taking tt-came flying toward me on q
similar level from the same direction
as on the previous day!
This time the bird flew past me and
alighted on the ground several wards
away. 1t flew a little farther affeld
when tried to catch it.
AFTER a few more attempts, de.
cided the bird had no need for captivity.
is there any objective basis to INV
feeling that the bird In its first flieht
was deliberately seeking help from :
human being, and that its second flight
was one Of recognition?
The little incident fills me with won
der as Of something far more deeply
interfused' :.
Sincerely, 6. D."
1t would be impossible to figure this
incident any other way.
Certainly, birds are intelligent enough
1or their own needs, which Is more than
man Is, or he would not Tight incessant
and more terrible wars as the ages ron
The English sparrow is smart enough
to do just what our correspondent o,,f-
lines, and to do 1t for the purpose IS
states, too. =
Birds are ordinarily wild-that Is why
they are called wild birds-but there
can be little question that they watch
us very closely, and undoubtedly know.
IN the back Of their odd minds. tf1at
help may be received from. us.
Still, they do not turn to us often.
because the old universal fear Of Their
kind Is upon them, and then, too. In
moments OF desperation. they are upset.
as all living things are, and often as
the wrong thing
Every one who has brought uu 4 habv
bird by hand knows the. strange feelins
which the helpless creature gives.
1t Is entirely different from that
caused by puppy or kitten. Here ID !
living creature which steps entirely ont
OF Its environment and MANAGES .tn
overcome the fear which is inherent
In its tribe.
There 70 something peculiarly appeal
Ing IN bird thus asking for help.
We believe that this sparrow askst,
Tor aid . genuinely Is II It had spoken,
and that its subsequent dight was !
real Thanksgiving message. It was CIR
tainly an incident to III both the per-
son 1t happened to and the reader with
wondeEy and to bring to mind the den
mystAtY OF which We are al, bid
and men and beasts, living parts.