PERCHING BIRDS. 195 



and low from fever ; the cage door was opened, be 

 uttered a shrill cry of joy, between a song and a 

 scream, fluttered from her hand to her cheek, and 

 fell dead. 



There are but two British species of SPARROW 

 the house and the tree sparrow. The bird which 

 is known so generally by the name of hedge 

 sparrow being quite of another family, and called 

 rightly the hedge warbler, or accentor. 



The TREE SPARROW is found chiefly in the midland 

 parts of England, and does not migrate far from 

 its native locality. It is an active and industrious 

 little bird, inhabiting and nesting in the holes of 

 decayed trees. 



The HOUSE (or domestic) SPARROW, is known in 

 every part of England. It inhabits the dwellings 

 of the rich and the poor, taking possession of the 

 humble thatched cottage in preference to the 

 palace. So rarely is this bird seen far from the 

 haunts of man, that the sight of one bespeaks 

 a habitation near. Its nest is generally placed 

 under the eaves of houses, or in the holes of old 

 walls; and it is adapted in size and material 

 to the place selected. If a thatch, tile, or hole, 

 be not at hand, the sparrow will make a tree 

 serve the purpose ; but, in this case, as a roofing 

 seems always required, a dome of straw is formed, 

 and an entrance made at the side large enough to 



