226 History of Nature. [BooK X. 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 

 Of Sparrows. 



ON the other Hand, the Sparrow 1 is very short-lived, and 

 his Leachery is equal to it. The Cock Sparrow is reported 

 to live but one Year ; the Proof is, because in the Beginning 

 of Spring not one of them is found with a black Bill, which 

 begins from the Summer. The Hens live somewhat longer. 

 But to come again to Doves, it is true that they have a cer- 

 tain Understanding of Glory ; and you would think that 

 they have a Knowledge of their Colours, and their change- 

 able Disposition. Moreover, they seem to take a Pride in 

 flying in the Air, and cutting the Air every way. In which 

 Display, while they flap with their Wings with much Noise 

 (which cannot be without the dashing of the Feathers 

 of their Wings against their Shoulders), they are exposed to 

 the Hawks as if they were bound ; for otherwise, if the 

 Flight were free, they were much more swift of Wing. But 

 the Thief lieth hid among the Branches, and seizeth him as 

 he rejoices in his Glory. 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 

 Of the Tinnunculus.* 



To prevent this (Danger), the Doves need to have with 

 them the Bird which is called the Tinnunculus, for she de- 

 fendeth them, and (by a natural Power) terrifieth the Acci- 

 piters, insomuch that they fly from her Sight or Voice. It is 

 on this Account that there is such remarkable Love among 

 the Doves to these Birds. And it is said that Pigeons will 

 not leave their own Dovecote if in the four Corners of it 

 there are buried four of the Tinnunculi in four new earthen 

 Pots well smeared over. But others have used Means to 

 keep Pigeons in their Dove-house (for otherwise they are 



1 Fringilla domestic^ LINN. House-sparrow. Wern. Club. 

 a Supposed to be the Cenchris (B.xxix. ch. vi.)- Falco cenchris, Cuv. 

 Wern. Club. 



