The Open Air 



the thief does not retaliate, but, like a thief, flees 

 from the scene of his guilt. This is not only in the 

 breeding season, when the rook steals eggs, but in 

 winter. Town residents are apt to despise the 

 sparrow, seeing him always black ; but in the country 

 the sparrows are as clean as a pink; and in them- 

 selves they are the most animated, clever little 

 creatures. 



They are easily tamed. The Parisians are fond 

 of taming them. At a certain hour in the Tuilleries 

 Gardens, you may see a man perfectly surrounded 

 with a crowd of sparrows some perching on his 

 shoulder; some fluttering in the air immediately 

 before his face; some on the ground like a tribe of 

 followers; and others on the marble seats. He jerks 

 a crumb of bread into the air a sparrow dexterously 

 seizes it as he would a flying insect ; he puts a crumb 

 between his lips a sparrow takes it out and feeds 

 from his mouth. Meantime they keep up a constant 

 chirping; those that are satisfied still stay by and 

 adjust their feathers. He walks on, giving a little 

 chirp with his mouth, and they follow him along the 

 path a cloud about his shoulders, and the rest flying 

 from shrub to shrub, perching, and then following 

 again. They are all perfectly clean a contrast to 

 the London Sparrow. I came across one of these 

 sparrow-tamers by chance, and was much amused at 

 the scene, which, to any one not acquainted with birds, 

 appears marvellous; but it is really as simple as 

 possible, and you can repeat it for yourself if you have 

 patience, for they are so sharp they soon understand 

 you. They seem to play at nest-making before they 

 really begin; taking up straws in their beaks, and 

 carrying them half-way to the roof, then letting the 

 straws float away; and the same with stray feathers. 



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