i;o SKETCHES OF BIRD LIFE. 



the nature of their food, the loss which they sus- 

 tained might have been averted. 



In the case of so well-known a bird little 

 need be said here of its habits, which must have 

 been so often observed by those who read these 

 lines. 



In default of a tree or house, a chink in a rock 

 or a hole in a wall suits him ; but, after all, the 

 nooks and eaves of buildings are his favourite 

 resorts. Accordingly, in London, where he has 

 his choice, he will often select droll places. Amidst 

 the carved foliage of the capital of some Corinthian 

 column a projection of straws, with now and then 

 a feather, announces a nest in preparation. But 

 some London Sparrows aspire still higher, one pair 

 having actually built in the Lion's mouth over 

 Northumberland House, at Charing Cross. 1 



The trees by St. Dunstan's Church, in the city, 

 are a great resort of Sparrows. They come in 

 flocks about the end of September, and stay all 

 the winter, till about the beginning of February. 

 At daybreak they disperse in all directions to feed, 

 returning again to roost in the evening. 



1 Stanley, Familiar History of Birds, p. 225. 



