50 HOUSE-SPARROW. 



Walford, in June, 1884. A Hawfinch was caught in a trap at 

 Stretton Rectory in 1878 or 1879. It had both its legs broken, 

 so could not be released. It was a hen bird, and bit fiercely, with 

 the wonderful strength of beak characteristic of the bird. It was 

 sent to the Hereford Museum. The Hawfinch has also been shot 

 in many places in the county. A specimen at this time (March, 

 1884) has just been brought to the Museum from Dormington, 

 where it was shot on a heap of apple refuse. 



This bird will sometimes suspend itself by the beak like a 

 parrot. 



Genus— PASSER. 

 PASSER DOMESTICUS— House-sparrow. 



In busy mart, and crowded street, 

 Here the smoke-brown Sparrow sits. 



Eliza Cook— Birds. 



Where noisy Sparrows perch 'd on pent-house near, 

 Chirp tuneless joy, and mock the frequent tear. 



Crabbe — Baptism. 



This highly intelligent bird is as abundant and self-possessed 

 in Herefordshire as it is throughout England. If it does not quite 

 understand the human language, it appreciates very cleverly every 

 intonation of the human voice, and knows in an instant whether it 

 has to deal with a friend or an enemy. 



This pert little impudent bird is well nigh omnivorous. 

 M. Prevost says " it varies its food according to circumstances. 

 In a wood, it lives on insects and seeds ; in a village, it eats seeds, 

 grain, and grubs of butterflies, &c. ; in a city, it lives on all kinds of 

 {fedris ; but it prefers cockchafers, and some other insects to all 

 other food." It eats caterpillars in a garden, but it destroys young 

 peas just coming up, crocus blossoms, and all sorts of garden seeds, 

 and is far too cunning to be kept away by anything but a net. 



