THE BIRD OF THE STREET. 191 



where they were not readily seen, and remained 

 perfectly silent. Then in a few moments the 

 old sparrow, who doubtless saw the perform- 

 ance, pounced upon the tree in a rage, when 

 suddenly the outer branches blossomed with 

 young sparrows ready to take flight. Occa- 

 sionally a saucy youngster perched on a lower 

 branch and set up an altogether " grown-up " 

 call. Instantly the " old man " came down 

 through the branches in hot haste, exactly as 

 though he felt insulted. Could it be that the 

 young rogue intended to " mock " the papa ? 



Sometimes, during these exciting times, the 

 mother joined her family on the next tree, and 

 talked with them in low tone, without anger. 

 Was it remonstrance for their undutiful be- 

 havior, or good advice for the future ? 



A curious little exhibition of sparrow philos- 

 ophy, was given by two of these young ones, 

 sitting side by side on a small branch which 

 sloped sharply toward the trunk. The one 

 highest on the branch naturally crowded down 

 against the other, and when it became too un- 

 comfortable the lower one, instead of fighting, 

 simply stepped on the back of his brother, 

 and took the upper place himself. In a few 

 moments the lower one found himself crowded, 

 and availed himself of the same method of re- 

 lieving the discomforts of his position. 



