THE FOOD OF SPARROWS. 



NOTE A. 



It seems that the actual blossom is not eaten, but rather 

 that a portion of it is masticated for the drop of nectar 

 at the base of the petals. For the same reason the 

 crocus and other garden flowers alluded to at p. i {note) 

 are destroyed. The blossoms of fruit-trees seem to be 

 attacked for the pollen. 



NOTE B. 



Mr. R. Lowe has observed them feeding on the young 

 unopened buds of swede turnips just bursting into flower 

 for seed. — {Report on Observatio7is on Injiirioics Insects^ 

 1883.) 



NOTE C. 



I have notes of sparrows occasionally feeding on the 

 yellow Underwing, Ermine moth, and a few other insects 

 in the perfect state, but the date at which the observation 

 was made not having been taken down, it can only be 

 approximately guessed at from the time at which they 

 usually appear. Everybody must, at some time or an- 

 other, have observed their clumsy efl"orts to catch some 

 common butterfly. 



Peascod, emptied by a sparrow. 



