THE COMMON SPARROW 103 



the greenfinches and ringdoves, is fond of picking off the 

 young corn when just up, at times even building amongst 

 the corn and turnips to be nearer his food ; so the marsh 

 farmers say, " He have a lord who go ahead just as we do." 

 To give him his due, I have seen him eat "green-fly" and 

 cabbage white caterpillars ; but there was nothing else to be 

 had. In summer-time the sparrows often roost under the 

 hedgerows to be nearer their food ; but when they have done 

 gleaning, they draw up to the farm buildings and roost in the 

 barn or in the stacks they are despoiling, and then is the 

 farmer often avenged, and the sparrow-catcher comes of a 

 night and shines his bright lantern, and the foolish birds fly 

 at it like moths at a candle, and are caught in the clap-nets 

 or sieves fixed to poles ; and when the bird-catcher goes on 

 to the sheds and barns and discovers his light, they fly at 

 it with a rush — it's yellow, like corn, you see — and fall 

 blundering on to the floor, an easy prey. There is no end 

 to their foolishness. They will, when engrossed fighting for 

 their ugly nests, come down a chimney all grimy and im- 

 pudent ; and if startled at night, they will fly straight into a 

 room through an open window to the lamp airily as any 

 moth. Is this creature of any use? Yes, he may be eaten. 

 The breasts of the young bird stewed are good enough, as 

 is a sparrow-pie and a jug of ale on a cold night. More- 

 over, he is one of the best birds for trap-shooting, for, un- 

 like the greenfinch, he flies steadily and straight, and he is 

 useful for feeding ferrets and captive merlins, who select 

 his busy brains, however. But alas ! his extermination is 

 hopeless, for, like all low types of life, he is most fruitful, 

 and, drat the bird ! he, ay, even he, has his sentimental 

 admirers — out of a pie ! But they know nothing of art, 

 natural history, gardening, or farming. And after all, is 

 not England avenged on the United States for the War of 

 Independence ? She has cursed these States with the curse 

 of the sparrow, to which the plagues of Egypt were as play- 

 things. 



