The Dawson News

100 BIRDS ATTACK A WOMAN

Deep Snow on the Ground Had Caused Them to Suffer With Intense Hunger.

VERONA, N. J.—A flock of English sparrows numbering fully 100 made a concerted and determined attack on the home of Robert H. Wolverton here today. They took possession of the kitchen and offered such vicious resistance to the efforts of Mrs. Wolverton to drive them out that she was cut in a score of places about the face and arms by the sharp little beaks before she finally took to flight. It was not until it occurred to another member of the family that the birds were hungry, and that their invasion marked a deliberate campaign against the pantry that they were induced to leave the kitchen by the brilliant strategy of scattering bread crumbs in the back yard.

The Wolvertons live in Sunset avenue, and the birds had been hovering around the house in increasing numbers all the forenoon, jabbering together in most excited fashion. They restrained themselves until near the dinner hour, but when the odors of cooking were coming out to them all agreed on an immediate assault. Swooping around to the rear of the house they found the kitchen door open and poured in. Mrs. Wolverton, armed with a broom, tried valiantly to drive them away, but although she killed several she herself presently was forced to flee to another part of the house, leaving the sparrows in possession of the kitchen. A council of war was held in the front parlor, and it was decided to break up a loaf of bread and sprinkle the crumbs just outside the kitchen door. First by ones and twos and then in a perfect swarm the sparrows went out to the feast and in a few minutes every one of the invaders had left the kitchen and was busy in the back yard.

The deep snow on the ground has caused much suffering for lack of food among the birds here, and Mrs. Wolverton is wondering now whether she will have to feed all the sparrows in the neighborhood for the rest of the winter.