COCKNEY BIRD TRIPPERS 155 



The sparrows go into the country. Where 

 the corn is cut and shocked you will see 

 them in vast flocks, searching in the stubble 

 or openly robbing the ripe ears. It is no 

 uncommon thing to observe a thousand 

 or more in one field. And perhaps as you 

 watch a swooping hawk will flash over the 

 hedgerow, the cloud will arise, chattering 

 in terror; one miserable victim will be 

 seized and carried swiftly away. Almost 

 before the last floating feather has drifted 

 to the ground the flock will be back, greedy 

 for the golden grains. Perhaps there is some 

 deep philosophy among the wild creatures, 

 for immediately the danger of death is 

 past they have forgotten it, and continue 

 to live every moment in complete happi- 

 ness. 



Male chaffinches and other finches often 

 join the trippers. So ready are sparrows 

 to imitate, or perhaps to return to natural 

 conditions long since abandoned in the 

 city, that after a few pastoral days their 



