birds, deserves the degree of doctor of philosophy conferred upon him; omitting, 

 of course, one single member of the family, the English sparrow. And why the 

 English sparrow should come in for any notice among the song-birds we cannot 

 tell, unless it be the fact that it really does haunt them, and they have to put up 

 with it almost everywhere they go. Surely it needs no picture to introduce this 

 little vagrant, save in a few regions sacred as yet from its presence. Even this 

 little foreign rogue has lovable traits, were it not for the prejudice against him. 

 \\'hat persistence he has in the face of persecution and death ! What philosophy 

 in the production of large families to compensate for loss ! What domestic 

 habits ! What accommodation to circumstances ! What cheerful acceptance of 

 his lot ! Surely the English sparrow presents an example worthy of imitation. 



To those whose preferences are for cooked little birds, what suggestions are 

 stirred by the hosts of these sparrows invitingly arrayed on roof and porch and 

 fences. They make as good pot-pie as the bobolink or robin, and it would seem 

 less sacrilege to so appropriate them. The rich and jxior alike might indulge in 

 the delicacy. Especially might the weak little starvelings in the cities, whose 

 dipper of fresh, new milk is long in coming, or never to come at all, find a sparrow 

 broth a nourishing substitute. Who knows but for this very purpose the birds 

 are sent to the large cities. We read of a story of "quails" in a certain Old Book, 

 and more than half believe the wonderful tale. Why not make a modern story 

 of sparrows sent "on purpose" and ctiltivate a taste for the little sinner? And 

 its eggs! Why, a sparrow hen will lay on, indefinitely, like a real biddy. Only 

 be sure to respect the "nest-egg," so the old bird ma\- have one always by her 

 "to mea.sure by." 



Think of the "little mothers" of the big cities, raising baby weaklings on 

 sparrow broth and poached sparrow's eggs. It is a pity to waste such fat. little 

 scraps of meat as are thrown about. Besides, making good use of the birds, if 

 they must be killed, is good for the soul of boys. It would teach them thrift and 

 a good purpose. Our best ornithologists declare the English sparrow "a nuisance 

 without a redeeming cjuality." Pity they hadn't thought :fbout the pie. 



r.ut there are sparrows and sparrows. Some of the family are our sweetsel 

 singers. Take the song-sparrow, the bird of the silver tongue. Tt is known 

 throughout the Eastern United States and Canada ; and on the Pacific coast and 

 elsewhere it is still the song-sparrow, though it varies slightly in color in different 

 regions. In many states it remains all winter, singing when the snow is falling, 

 and keeping comradeship with the chickadee. 



Everybody knows the little fellow by his xoice if not by his coat. Nothing 

 fine about the coat or gown save its modest tints. But. as with many another 

 bird of gray or brown plumage, its song is the sweetest. Hearty, limpid, cheerful 

 in the saddest weather, always ending in the melody of an upward inllection. as 

 if he invited answer. 



The song-sparrow is the only one we ha\e n(»ticed to gargle the song in ils 

 throat, swallowing a few tlrops with each mouthful: or ii mav be that he stops 



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