THE SPARROW ; ITS VICES. 157 
sheltered situation for its nest, and thatch, of course, 
suits it admirably for its domestic preparations. 
Count number four is to the effect that sparrows 
are very fond of buds, and will strip gooseberry- 
bushes in early spring, just as has been recorded 
of the linnet. Only a few days ago I was told by 
a lady that sparrows had greatly damaged her goose- 
berries during the spring of the present year (1886), 
and had stripped off and eaten all the buds; which 
statement I respectfully ventured to doubt. Pressed 
for evidence, my informant repeated her assertion, 
and further told me that the sparrows mst have been 
the offenders, “ because they hung their tails down 
and looked so guilty when she saw them afterwards !” 
an argument which, of course, could not well be 
refuted. 
Of further accusations against the bird I have the 
following :— 
No. 1, from an Essex agriculturist :—‘“‘I have 
discovered the sparrow to be a Radical, for on going 
to pick a bunch of primroses in the garden to wear 
yesterday (April 19th), these wretched little creatures 
were picking them all to pieces. What their object 
was I cannot tell; it seemed for love of mischief.” 
No. 2. ‘‘ Sparrows have destroyed a wall.” 
No. 3. “‘Sparrows have destroyed all the flowers 
in a garden.” 
No. 4. “ Sparrows have pulled up and eaten several 
rows of lettuces.” 
No. 5. “Sparrows have eaten up an old lady’s 
thatch.” 
