98 LETTERS TO MARCO xv 



doubtful propriety. The sparrow is bold, 

 but he knows that he is only tolerated, and 

 trusts more to his own artfulness than to 

 your favour. 



The blackbird is proud and vain, and 

 almost resents the intrusion of man into his 

 hunting-grounds. He is a grand seignior 

 amongst other birds, and drives them before 

 him when able to do so ; you can almost 

 hear him say, " Go away, little birds, go 

 away." Blackbirds are very jealous of one 

 another, and are perpetually driving one 

 another away. I have to take a stick to 

 scare him from the gooseberry bushes, and 

 when I have caught one under the straw- 

 berry-nets it will as often as not show fight 

 and peck at my fingers. 



Thrushes approximate far more to the 

 robins in sweetness of disposition, though far 

 shyer, and never addressing you individually 

 with their song, as does the robin. 



The starling cares little for man. He is 

 not afraid of him, and takes advantage of his 



