SPARROWS. 



229 



Linnet. 



ance, approached 

 the nest, and fed 

 the family, with- 

 out showing a- 

 larm. This being 

 noticed, the nest 

 was soon after- 

 wards placed on 

 a table, in the 

 middle of the 

 apartment, and 

 the window left 

 open. The pa- 

 rent birds came 

 boldly in, and fed 

 their offspring as before. Still further to put their attach- 

 ment to the test, the nest and young ones were placed within 

 a bird-cage; still the old ones returned, entered boldly within 

 the cage, and supplied the wants of their brood as before, and, 

 towards evening, actually perched on the cage, regardless of 

 the noise made around them by several children. This con- 

 tinued for several days, when an unlucky accident put an end 

 to it. The cage had been again set on the outside of the 

 window, and was unfortunately left exposed to a sudden and 

 heavy fall of rain : the consequence was, that the whole of the 

 young were drowned in the nest. The poor parents, who had 

 so boldly and indefatigably performed their duty, continued 

 hovering round the house, and looking wistfully in at the 

 window, for several days, and then disappeared.* 



Before we take leave of this tribe of small birds, we would 

 say a word or two respecting the benefit or injuries imputed 

 to them. That they are occasionally mischievous, cannot be 

 denied ; though it is but fair to add, that they also, like the 

 Eooks before mentioned, repay us by a considerable balance 

 of good. That the Bullfinch feeds on the buds and seeds of 

 trees there can be no doubt; and that the Chaffinch, though, 

 by many considered as a pure feeder on insects, does the 

 * EiUn. Phil. Jour. 



