From The Zoologist, Vol 16, 1858
Note on sparrows attacking rats
While sitting at breakfast one day, in the latter part of last December, my attention was drawn to some ten or twelve house sparrows which were fluttering about in a strange manner on the roof of an adjacent stable at a particular spot where a water-gutter joined the roof.
I presently observed a large rat emerge from the gutter on to the roof, when it was fiercely attacked by all the sparrows, which surrounded it, drove it down the roof, and appeared to have entirely got the mastery over it.
But suddenly it made its escape by rushing down a waterpipe which led from the roof into a drain at the foot of the stable.
The sparrows then resumed their post at the spot where this rat had first appeared, and very soon a second rat came out on to the roof, at the same place where the other one had first shown itself.
The second rat was attacked by the sparrows even more fiercely than the first, and it was not without two severe struggles and one vain attempt that it succeeded in gaining the same pipe in which its predecessor had taken refuge.
The sparrows appeared much disconcerted at the escape of their enemy.
The above was communicated to me (in substance) by Mr G.W. Guymer, who is an intelligent and trustworthy person in this parish.
J.H.Gurney MP
Catton,
Norfolk.
February 23, 1858.
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