92 BIRDS' NESTS. 



the sparrow is impudent to men, and over- 

 bearing to other birds, its character is re- 

 deemed by its extreme attachment to its 

 young, as may be proved by the following 

 well-authenticated anecdote : 



" A pair of sparrows who had built in the 

 thatched roof of a house at Poole, were ob- 

 served to continue their regular visits to the 

 nest long after the time when the young birds 

 take flight. This unusual circumstance con<- 

 tinued throughout the year ; and in the winter, 

 a gentleman, who had all along observed them, 

 determined on investigating its cause. He 

 therefore mounted a ladder, and found one of 

 the young ones detained a prisoner by means 

 of a piece of string or worsted which formed 

 part of the nest having become accidentally 

 twisted round its leg. Being thus prevented 

 from procuring its own sustenance, it had been 

 fed by the continued exertions of the parents." 



The eggs, which measure somewhat less than 

 an inch, are white, spotted, and streaked with 



