212 THE COCK SPARROW. 



THE HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus). Who does 

 not know the common Cock Sparrow, as the bird is gene- 

 rally called, whether it be cock or hen ? the bold, bright 

 bird, so full of assurance, so free and easy in its manners, 

 that one sees everywhere, dodging about under the horses' 

 feet in the street ; hail-fellow-well-met with the pigs, the 

 sheep, and the cows in the farmyard ; feeding with the 

 pigeons and the fowls ; helping himself to the grain from 

 the stacks, and the seeds from the furrow, as coolly as if all 

 the farm produce belonged to him. A small, stout, active 

 fellow, getting up a squabble in the garden with his fellows 

 about the right of possession to some roosting, or nesting, 

 or feeding place, and making a most astounding hubbub ; 

 chirping away on the roof where he means to build his 

 nest, whether you like it or not. A strong, lively bird, 

 that seems to bid defiance to frost and snow, and to be 

 lively and cheerful under the most discouraging circum- 

 stances. Such is the Sparrow, the playmate of our child- 

 hood, the familiar friend of our maturer years. Who 

 among us is not ready to say with Thomas Miller 



I have a great love for those little dirty and noisy vagrants, 

 the Sparrows; who hide, and build, and breed under the smoky 

 eaves, and come out sometimes as black as soot. Wherever man 

 rears his house, they follow. They are always ready with their 

 * good morning ' as soon as it is light. They take possession above, 

 and the mice below: both are paupers that will have no 'nay.' 

 If man can contrive to live, they are resolved to live with him. 

 For ages they have been his constant companions. The Sparrow 

 hops down and breakfasts with the Fowls, without needing an 

 invitation. He takes possession of the corn-ricks and helps himself 

 bountifully. In summer he goes into the harvest-field, if it is near 

 at hand; nor is he very particular about waiting until the corn 

 is ripe before he commences his banquet. In vain does the farmer 

 set a price upon his head; he contrives to live, and die, and leave a 

 large family of Sparrows behind him, who know how to pick up a 

 living as well as he did. The Sparrows, like the Rooks, have their 

 mode of punishment, and when any culprit has committed himself, 

 they raise a clamour loud enough to alarm a whole neighbourhood. 

 It begins in a moment; they all set to at once; and when they 

 have had their say, they leave the offender to his own reflections. 

 They are hasty, but it is soon over with them ; nor do they ever 

 put their victim to death, but having beaten him, and told him 



