226 SPARROWS. 



insects, only one grain of wheat, and a few of sand found. In 

 the second, the gizzard was become vastly more muscular, and 

 contained nine grains of wheat whole, besides some smaller 

 pieces, the remains of several beetles, and some larger gravel- 

 stones. 



A Sparrow is not only bold with regard to men, but still 

 more so, on particular occasions, towards other birds. On 

 the edge of a certain lawn grew a close thick bush. On this 

 lawn, amongst others, the Blackbird used to come and forage 

 for worms. One day a person happened to be looking at a 

 Blackbird in the act of making oif with a prize, when a 

 Sparrow, darting from the thick bush, instantly assailed the 

 Blackbird, and compelled him to drop the worm, of which he 

 took immediate possession. So singular a circumstance induced 

 the observer to look out now and then, when Blackbirds 

 came, and he frequently saw the same piratical practice 

 adopted by the Sparrow, who thus, by keeping watch in his 

 bush, was enabled to enrich himself on the labours of the 

 larger bird. But, notwithstanding this unfavourable feature 

 in his character, he has been known to act with great con- 

 sideration and kindness to birds requiring his good offices. 



In the Naturalists' Magazine we find the following story 

 in point: "A lady, living in Chelsea, was extremely fond 

 of birds, of which she kept a considerable number in cages. 

 Amongst others she had a Canary, which was a particular 

 favourite, but the loudness of his note often obliged her to 

 put him outside of her window, in some trees which were 

 trained up in front of her house. One morning, during 

 breakfast, when the cage was there placed, a Sparrow was 

 observed to fly round about it, then perch upon the top, and 

 twitter to the bird within, between whom and itself a sort 

 of conversation seemed to ensue. After a few moments he 

 flew away, but returned in a short time, bearing a worm or 

 small grub in his bill, which he dropped into the cage, and 

 immediately flew away. Similar presents were received day 

 after day, at the same time, by the Canary, from his friend 

 the Sparrow, with whom, at length, he became so intimate, 

 that he very often received the food, thus brought, into his 



