THE SPARROWS.* 



The Sparrows have <hc conical bill of the graminivorous birds, but they have it more 

 deciiledly notched tlian almost any of the others. Tliis agrees with their habit of being 

 more insectivorous birds, particidarlj- during the breeding season. 



THE HOUSE SPAERO\\'.t 



Barry Cornwall thus accurately describes and pathetically ^ileads for tliis well-known 

 bird :— 



" 'I'oiicli uot the Httlc sparrow who doth buikl 

 I[is homo so near us. He cloth follow us 

 From spot to spot, amidst the tmbulcnt town, 

 And ne'er deserts ns. To all other birds 

 The woods suffice, the rivers, the sweet fields, 

 And natiu-e in her aspect mute and fair ; 

 But he dotli herd with man. Blithe servant ! live, 

 Feed and grow cheerful ! On my window's ledge 

 FU leave thee everj' morning some fit food. 

 In payment of thy service. Doth lie serve '.' 

 Aye serves and teaches. His familiar voice. 

 His look of love, his sure fidelity, 

 Bid us be gentle with so small a friend : 

 And much we learn from acts of gentleness. 

 ] )oth he i!Ot teach ? — Ay, and doth serve us too, 

 AVho clears our homes from many a toilsome thing. 

 Insect or reptile ; and when we do mark 

 "With what nice care he builds his nest, and guards 

 His offspring from all harm, and how he goes, 

 A pcrseverign, bold adventiu-cr, 

 'Midst hostile tribes, twenty times as big as he. 

 Skill, perseverance, corn-age, parent's love, — 

 In our own lives, perhaps, when need doth ask. 

 To imitate the little household bird. 

 Untiring follower! what doth chain thee here ; 

 "What bonds 'tween thee and man ';' Thy food the same 

 As thcii-s who wing the woods,— thy voice as wild, 

 'I'hy wants, thy power, the same : we nothing do 

 To serve thee, and few love thee ; yet thou hang'st 

 About our dwellings, like some humble IVicnd, 

 Whom custom and kind thoughts do link to us, 

 And no neglect can banish. 



So, long live 

 The household sparrow 1 nu\y lie thrive for ever! 

 For ever twitter forth his morning song, 

 A brief, but sweet domestic melody .' 

 I,(nig may he live ! and he who aims to kill 

 Om- small companion, let him think how he 

 Would feel, if great men spurned him from llieir heartiis, 

 Or tyrant doom'd him, who had done no wrong. 

 To pains or sudden deutli. Then let him think, 

 .\nd he will spare this little lianitful bird ; 



* l'vr"itu. l' Pyrgilii Domeslica. 



