86 SPARROW. 



own real interests, and that their 'Insanity' may only be 

 'Temporary.' In flower gardens Sparrows do some little 

 mischief, especially among the gay blossoms of early spring, 

 whether in search of insects or for mere amusement it is 

 hard to say. Crocuses and other bright-coloured flowers they 

 seem to prefer, picking off the yellow ones, and leaving the 

 purple and the white blossoms. 



The note of this bird is a monotonous chirp, known to every 

 one, and in addition to it a curious buzzing noise has been 

 observed by one or two persons to have been uttered by this 

 bird, but whether produced by the motion of the tail, which 

 was kept fluttering all the time, or whether it proceeded from 

 the throat, they seem to have been unable correctly to ascer- 

 tain. The Rev. J. Pemberton Bartlett, at Kingston, and 

 the Rev. Arthur Hussey, at Rottingdean, Sussex, both noticed 

 it, and have recorded their observations thereon in the 

 'Zoologist,' at pages 353 and 452-3. These birds may often 

 be seen and heard holding assemblies together, with a great 

 deal of noise and clamour; and, as in 'another place,' there 

 is a good deal that is unintelligible, and a large amount of 

 repetition in what they say. The late William Thompson, 

 Esq., of Belfast, says that he has heard them begin their 

 chattering in the ivy that surrounded a town house at ten 

 minutes past three in the morning, in the month of June, 

 half an hour before they stirred out. 



Mr. W. Kidd asserts in 'The Naturalist,' vol. i., page 

 150, that if a young Sparrow be taken from the nest when 

 not more than four days old, before, that is to say, it has 

 had time to learn its vernacular language, and be kept within 

 hearing of a Canary, for instance, and of a Canary only, in 

 full song, it will, in less than three weeks, begin to utter the 

 notes of the Canary, and that in a short time the pupil will 

 rival the master in song. I wish for the sake of many a 

 young learner of a different species, that the science of music 

 could be always as easily acquired. 



The nest, which is large in size, and very loosely compacted, 

 is usually placed under the eaves of the tiles of houses or 

 other buildings, or in any hole or cavity that will supply it 

 with a convenient receptacle for its brood. It is compiled of 

 hay, straw, wool, moss, or twigs, and a profusion of feathers, 

 which they are sometimes seen conveying to their holes even 

 in winter. It often measures as much as six inches in 

 diameter, and sometimes even much more, if the situation 



