THE SPARROW. 99 



side, where he is neither liked nor appreciated, and to 

 establish himself altogether in towns, where his sprightliness 

 and fearlessness render him a favourite. 



It may be admitted that his voice is not the strong point 

 of the sparrow, but perhaps it is as well that this should be 

 the case, for were he vocal the volume of sound would be 

 unbearable in neighbourhoods where he abounds. There 

 is, however, a cheeriness and good-fellowship about his 

 confident and inquisitive little chirp, and occasionally in 

 the days of his courtship he can emit a very cheerful 

 little song. Although so domestic in his habits, the spar- 

 row takes but little trouble with his nest. It is a ragged 

 collection of odds and ends, and is evidently built on the 

 assumption that his offspring will, like himself, have to be 

 handy and shift for themselves, and that anything like 

 luxury would be thrown away upon them. As a conver- 

 sationalist the sparrow excels. His short notes are very 

 numerous and varied, he is fond of learning the opinions 

 of his neighbours, and of laying down the law himself. 

 Animated discussions, warming sometimes into quarrels, 

 arise frequently from these consultations upon the housetop-; 

 but they seldom last long. There is a rush into a bush and 

 a hot pursuit, sharp angry cries, and a momentary tussle ; 

 and then, the matter having been arranged, the disputants 

 separate amicably and proceed on their various business. 



The flight of the sparrow is not elegant ; he wastes no 

 time in graceful curves and turnings, but hurls himself 

 straight at his mark. He has none of the restlessness of 

 the migrants ; he has hard times here when the ground is 

 frozen and food is scarce, but he takes the rough with the 

 smooth, and has no thought of seeking warmer climes. 



