116 THE SPARROW. 



the heat, since they can support that of Egypt, 

 but because of the absence of that kind of food 

 which they require. It is only where corn and 

 other similar plants are cultivated that they are 

 seen. 



It is a singular thing, that neither sparrows 

 nor pies are seen further north than the banks 

 of the Pelledoui, a river of Siberia, which is the 

 most remote tract in that quarter, in which corn 

 is cultivated. It is also asserted, that they 

 were never seen on that spot, until a few years 

 since, when the grain in question was first sown 

 there. How surprising is the instinct which 

 leads these little wanderers to the precise place 

 where their food is to be found, and to no other ! 

 It does indeed forcibly remind us of the provi- 

 dential care of the great Author of nature, of 

 whom the psalmist says, u these all wait upon 

 thee that thou mayest give them their meat in 

 due season. That thou givest them they 

 gather." Nor less, of the beautiful and touch- 

 ing reference to the security of their daily pro- 

 vision, by which our blessed Saviour taught his 

 followers to dismiss all useless and despond- 

 ing anxiety for the future. " Behold the fowls 

 of the air ; for they sow not, neither do they 

 reap, nor gather into barns ; yet your heavenly 

 Father feedeth them." The sparrows in par- 



