200 THE SMALLER BRITISH BIRDS. 



"it may be worth while to admit a Sparrow or two, especially as 

 they breed freely with the Tree Sparrow. For this purpose, a male 

 of the House Sparrow and a femtile of .the Tree Sparrow must be 

 selected, and placed in some retired corner, provided with a box or 

 artificial nest in which to build." It would be nothing short of 

 cruelty to confine this active and lively little bird in a cage, and we 

 could only countenance his imprisonment in a spacious aviary. He 

 will eat almost anything seeds and insects of all kinds, or the uni- 

 versal paste; but requires an occasional supply of green meat to keep 

 him in good health. Mr. William Kidd, of Hammersmith, states that 

 the Sparrow will acquire the song of the Canary, if brought up from 

 the nest in the same- room with one of these birds that is a good 

 singer, and never allowed to hear the voice of its own or any other 

 species. 



The Tree Sparrow rarely lives long in confinement, being very subject 

 to decline. A rusty nail should always be kejjt in its drinking water. 



