The Inspiring Sparrows. 55 



species it will be another. You might as well try- 

 to cut the hours from a day as to take the spar- 

 rows from the morning. These birds are just suffi- 

 ciently methodical to be comprehensible, but have 

 nothing of the mechanical about them, as one might 

 suppose from all ancient and some modern ornitho- 

 logical literature. Sparrows, as a class, are dear, 

 delightful birds that make you contented even if you 

 see nothing but themselves ; for whether it be a 

 song-sparrow or a cardinal, a rose-breasted grosbeak 

 or a homely little ** chippy," it has made your ramble 

 worth all the exertion. If not, I have nothing more 

 to say. 



**But there are many more sparrows about here 

 than have been mentioned ; what of them?" I hear 

 some one remark. 



True, and there are many books to tell you all 

 about them. 



