THE SPARROW. 259 



refuse wliicli may be tlirowu from their doors. 

 The country sparrow has a brighter plumage, 

 which always seems too in better order, and as if 

 more pains were bestowed in cleaning and trim- 

 ming it. Everywhere, however, its character is 

 the same, and it is among the boldest and most 

 obtrusive birds, and is perpetually squabbling 

 with its companions. The large thick head, short 

 bill, and lively eyes of the span'ow are often be- 

 fore us, and it has not the graceful arch look of 

 the redbreast, or its winning way of soliciting 

 confidence, but has a look of audacity, wliicli at 

 once marks it as an assuming little bird. It can- 

 not be called a singer in its wild state, but strange 

 to say that chirping sparrow is neitlier wanting in 

 voice nor ear. The Hon. Daines Barrington says, 

 " I took a common sparrow from the nest, when 

 it was fledged, and educated it under a linnet. 

 The bird, however, by accident, heard a gold- 

 finch also ; and his song was therefore a mixture 

 of the linnet and goldfinch." The spari'ow always 

 seems an intelligent little bird, and can accommo- 

 date itself to times and places exceedingly well ; 

 varying its tones, too, so as that we can very dis- 

 tinctly trace in its chirp sounds of joy, or fear, or 



