SPARROWS. 



491 



quoted by Buffon, which not only followed its soldier-master every- 

 where, but would recognise him from all others in the regiment, 

 proves they are both intelligent and capable of affection. 



Sparrows are eminently sociable, seeking their food, and building 

 their nests near each other, whether it be in crevices of walls or under 

 the eaves of houses, in hedges or trees, or in the deserted nests of 

 swallows, which they have the effrontery to appropriate. In their nest, 

 which is a bulky, soft, and 

 warm structure, lined with 

 wool, bristles, and hair, the 

 female deposits from four 

 to six eggs three times a 

 year; their fecundity is con- 

 sequently very great. They 

 are omnivorous, but prefer 

 seeds and the larvae of 

 insects to all other food. 



Oceans of ink have 

 flowed to prove the ravages 

 committed by Sparrows on 

 corn-fields, and to demon- 

 strate that they should be 

 exterminated by the farmer. 

 But it is now generally 

 agreed that the Sparrow is 

 a benefactor, and belongs 

 to the list of useful birds. 

 Have we not seen in the 

 Palatinate that after the 

 Sparrow was proscribed and 

 exterminated, the inhabi- 

 tants were under the neces- 

 sity of reimporting it in 



order to arrest the ravages of insects, which, in consequence of this 

 bird's absence, had multiplied in a frightful manner ? 



The Goldfinch (Fringilla carditelis, Fig. 209) is the most gentle 

 and peaceful of birds, and at the same time one of the prettiest 

 of European races. It has the back brown, the face red, with a 

 bright yellow spot upon each cheek ; its voice is full, sweet, and 

 harmonious ; it is exceedingly docile, easily tamed and raised as a 

 cage-bird ; in the aviary it soon becomes familiar, testifying great 

 attachment to those who take charge of it ; it readily learns to sing 



Fig. 208. House Sparrow. 



