248 



SPARROWS. 



afterwards, a Sparrow, supposed to be this hen, was 

 observed sitting on the very spot where the accident 

 had happened, crouched together, with her feathers all 

 standing up, so as to give her the appearance of a ball, 

 conveying a perfect idea of disconsolate suffering. 



Timid as birds are, attachment to their young will 

 frequently change their very nature, and inspire a bold- 

 ness and confidence in these little creatures, which calls 

 for respect and admiration. What can be more interest- 

 ing than the affection of the two Linnets we are about 

 to mention? A nest, containing four young ones, 



scarcely fledged, 

 was found by 

 some children, 

 who resolved to 

 carry them home, 

 for the purpose 

 of rearing and 

 taming the young 

 birds. The old 

 ones, attracted by 

 their chirping, 

 continued flutter- 

 ing round the 

 children, till they 

 reached the house, when the nest was carried up stairs 

 to the nursery, and placed outside the window. The old 

 birds soon afterwards made their appearance, approached 

 the nest, and fed the family, without showing alarm. 

 This being noticed, the nest was soon afterwards placed 

 on a table, in the middle of the apartment, and the win- 

 dow left open. The parent birds came boldly in, and 

 fed their offspring as before. Still further to put their 

 attachment to the test, the nest and young ones were 

 placed within a bird-cage ; still the old ones returned, 

 entered boldly within the cage, and supplied the want& 

 of their brood as before, and, towards evening, actually 

 perched on the cage, regardless of the noise made around 



Linnet. 



