SPARROWS. 19 



establish himself wherever chance mny happen to 

 place him. If he lives remote from towns and 

 cities, and the habitations of men, a tree answers his 

 purpose, and a comfortable nest he will there build, 

 with the rare addition of an arched top into the 

 bargain, which possibly he may have learned from 

 that knowing bird, the Magpie. In default of a tree, 

 or a house; a chink in a rock, or a hole in a wall, 

 suits him; but after all, the nooks and eaves of 

 buildings are his favourite resorts; accordingly, in 

 London, where he has his choice, he will often 

 select droll places. Amidst the carved foliage of 

 the capital of some Corinthian column, a projection 

 of straws, with now and then a feather, announce a 

 nest in preparation. 



But some London Sparrows aspire still higher, 

 one pair having actually built in the Lion's mouth, 

 over Northumberland House, at Charing Cross. A 

 still more extraordinary place was pitched upon by 

 a North-country couple. A coal-vessel from New- 

 castle, put into Nairn, in Scotland, and while there, 

 two Sparrows were frequently observed to alight on 

 the top of the vessel's mast, while the vessel re- 

 mained in port. This occasioned no great surprise 

 to the crew; but after putting to sea, the two Spar- 

 rows were seen following the sloop, and having come 

 up with her, resumed their posts at the top of the 

 mast. Crumbs of bread were scattered upon the 

 deck, with a view of enticing them down, of which 

 they soon availed themselves, and after eating 

 heartily, again returned to the mast-head. By the 

 time the vessel had been two days at sea, they be- 

 came much more familiar, and descended boldly for 



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