76 THE SPARROW 



spoiled guests of the great city, the cheerfulness and ani- 

 mation of the Parisian streets: 



Fearless, confident and bold 



Birds by thousands flying, 



Flapping every shining wing 



Fill the air willi chattering, 



And with fledglings reared to rove. 



Like themselves, o'er field and grove. 



Pilfering where'er they go 

 What they choose for forage. 

 Whatsoever farm or field 

 Garden-plot or park may yield, 

 ^^ hether autumn reigns or spring, 

 The winged nation thrive and sing! 



•In the whole city their cover is laid and they know it 

 well ! They know where the best morsels are awaiting 

 them and are sure to be there in time. It is marvelous to 

 see the rapidity with which they communicate to one 

 another the news of some extraordinary treat. An old 

 gentleman was telling me that every morning after break- 

 fast he was in the habit of distributing bread crumbs to 

 about twenty sparrows. One day, having exhausted his 

 stock of bread, he gave them cake instead. The sparrows, 

 liked this change of fare and probably told their friends 

 and acquaintances about the good luck that had befallen 

 them ; for the next day the old gentleman found that he 

 had sixty guests instead of twenty. 



