64 IN A CHESHIRE GARDEN 



corn, but while robins and tits went in and 

 out without the least concern, not a sparrow 

 would go near, and for a time the presence of 

 the trap kept them away from the food-stand 

 altogether. However, they could not resist 

 the temptation of bread, and one or two were 

 caught at last. But what was the use of 

 catching them? I hadn't the heart to kill 

 them in cold blood and used to let them go, 

 and indeed I quite enjoyed myself the sense 

 of joyous relief they must have felt as they 

 flew off unharmed into the free air. 



However much mischief sparrows may do, 

 some good work must be placed to their 

 credit. Through a great part of the year, 

 even in February, I have seen them flying up 

 after gnats, and it is a common thing in 

 summer to see a sparrow in pursuit of a moth. 

 Its efforts always seem ridiculously awkward 

 and sometimes I fancy are ineffectual after 

 all, but they must commonly succeed or they 

 would not try so often and so persistently. 



In the spring of 1900 the grass was 

 covered for many days together with some 

 kind of little black fly, and sparrows a dozen 

 or so at a time with blackbirds, thrushes and 

 chaffinches found a continual feast in them. 

 I noticed again and again quite a big round 

 ball of them collected and carried away by 

 a thrush. 



It has often been noticed that sparrows are 

 more eager than most birds in hunting for 



