A Sparrow chasing Pigeons

Abstract

MR. J. JENNER WEIR (NATURE, vol. xxxv. p. 584) says that he has never observed a sparrow to chase a pigeon except when on the wing. I wish to say that I have frequently witnessed the occurrence, having kept pigeons for a number of years. I have often seen sparrows chase pigeons on the house-tops, particularly when the former have had their nests in the vicinity. One season, about ten years ago, I well remember the annoyance these impudent birds caused to the pigeons, for whenever the latter were let out in the morning to air themselves the sparrows would immediately attack Them and continue the harassment without intermission all day long. On one occasion, during the same year, I recollect a very amusing scene between a cock sparrow and a cock tumbler pigeon. The former had just flown on to the house-top with a large piece of bread in his bill, when the pigeon advanced rapidly towards him with the intention of seizing the dainty morsel. The plucky sparrow, however, was in readiness for him, and dropping the bread he made a bold onslaught on his larger feathered relation, pecking vigorously at his rear quarters. The pigeon not expecting an attack from such an insignificant foe, and being utterly unprepared for a “round,” did not attempt to use its wings as weapons, as is its custom, but contented itself with cooing, and aiming a few rapid pecks with its beak, and then ignominiously took to flight, leaving a few feathers behind in its hurry. No sooner, however, had it quitted the field than about half a dozen other sparrows, who had been sitting on the chimney-pots in the neighbourhood watching the affray, dashed after it and chased it round and round the house, about half a dozen times, before they considered that it had had sufficient punishment. Such is an example of the annoyance my pigeons were sometimes subjected to by the sparrows. I may add that I have frequently observed sparrows and starlings fighting, and also on one occasion saw a sparrow chase a jackdaw which had evidently been attempting to take the sparrow's eggs or young ones. The records of a few other curious instances of birds fighting which I will briefly extract from my diary may perhaps be interesting. “1880 May. Saw a starling attack and drive away two jackdaws which had gone in quest of its eggs. 1880 June. Saw a cloud of redpolls chase a cuckoo. 1883 June. Witnessed a desperate fight between a flock of jackdaws and a heron, in mid air. 1885 June. Saw a skylark chase a cuckoo and drive it away. 1885 August. Saw a mistletoe thrush chase a sparrow-hawk and drive it away. 1886 July. Witnessed a great battle between a large flock of starlings and a flock of rooks, the former having invaded the feeding-grounds of the latter.”