THE ROOSTING OF THE SPARROWS 199 

 and then fling themselves into the bushes as though 

 they were soldiers performing a well-practised man- 

 oeuvre ; the first bird to reach the bush entering at the 

 nearest end, the next a little farther on, the third still 

 farther, and so on, so that the last sparrow to arrive 

 enters the hedge at the far end. Sometimes a flock 

 perches for a time on a tree near by before entering the 

 hedge. Those who have only noticed sparrows potter- 

 ing about will scarcely be able to believe their eyes 

 when they see the speed at which they approach the 

 roosting place. For the moment they are transformed 

 into dignified birds. 



All this time those individuals already in the hedge 

 are making a great noise. Their chitter, chitter, chitter 

 never for a moment ceases or even diminishes in in- 

 tensity. Once in the hedge, the sparrows do not 

 readily leave it. There is much motion of the leaves 

 and branches, and birds are continually popping out of 

 one part of the bushes into another. It is thus evident 

 that there is considerable fighting for places. If, while 

 all this is going on, you walk up to part of the hedge and 

 shake it, the birds disturbed will only fly a yard or two 

 and at once settle elsewhere in the thicket. 



Meanwhile the sun has nearly set; the coolies near 

 by have ceased working and are kindling a fire within a 

 couple of yards of the bushes. But the sparrows appear 

 to ignore both them and their fire. Settling down for 

 the night engrosses their whole attention. 



As the sun touches the horizon the incoming flights of 

 sparrows become fewer and fewer ; and after the golden 

 orb has disappeared only one or two belated stragglers 



