SPAilKOW. Si 



'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 Blackbirds used to come and forage 

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

 Blackbird in the act of making off 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.' I have lately observed one 

 Sparrow chasing another in precisely a similar way, under 

 similar circumstances. The Bishop continues, 'But notwith- 

 standing this unfavourable feature in his character, he has 

 been known to act with great consideration and kindness 

 to birds requiring his good offices.' 



In the 'Naturalist's 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 ny 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 own bill from that of the Sparrow. The circum- 

 stance attracted the notice of the lady's neighbours, who 

 often watched these daily visits; and some of them, to try 

 the extent of the Sparrow's kindness, also hung their birds 

 out at the window, when they found them also fed; but the 

 first and longest visit was always paid by the Sparrow to 

 his original friend, the Canary. 



