24 SPARROWS AND LINNETS. 



Sparrow, supposed to be this lien, was observed sit- 

 ting on the very spot where the accident had hap- 

 pened, crouched together, with her feathers all 

 standing up, so as to give her the appearance of a 

 ball, conveying a perfect idea of disconsolate suf- 

 fering. 



Timid as birds are, attachment to. their young will 

 frequently change their very nature, and inspire a 

 boldness and confidence in these little creatures, 

 which calls for respect and admiration. What can 

 be more interesting than the affection of the two 

 Linnets we are about to mention? A nest containing 

 four young ones, scarcely fledged, was found by some 

 children, who resolved to carry them home, for the 

 purpose of rearing and taming the young birds. 

 The old ones, attracted by their chirping, continued 

 fluttering round the children, till they reached the 

 house, when the nest was carried up stairs to the 

 nursery, and placed outside the window. The old 

 birds, soon afterwards, made their appearance, ap- 

 proached the nest, and fed their family, without 

 showing alarm. This being noticed, the nest was 

 soon afterwards placed on a table, in the middle of 

 the apartment, and the window left open. The 

 parent birds came boldly in, and fed their offspring 

 as before. Still further to put their attachment to 

 the test, the nest and young ones were placed within 

 a bird-cage; still the old ones returned, entered 

 boldly within the cage, and supplied the wants of 

 their brood as before, and towards evening, actually 

 perched on the cage, regardless of the noise made 

 around them, by several children. This continued 

 for several days; when an unlucky accident put an 



