PASSERINE BIRDS. 



133 



house to house, but that, not finding the country to their liking, they soon disappear, leaving no 

 trace behind. Our House Sparrow is social in its habits, and even during the breeding season can 

 hardly be said to live apart from its fellows; the nests are placed very close together, the males 

 appearing to enjoy each other's society even whilst the process of incubation is going on. The 

 young join the rest of the troop as soon as they can fly. During the whole time that corn can 

 be obtained, or any green plants remain, these flocks fly daily over the neighbouring fields and plains 

 in search of food, returning in the middle of the day to the villages, where they rest, and in the 

 evening assemble upon the trees or roofs to make their preparations for passing the night — a 

 proceeding that is always accompanied by great confusion and much squabbling. In the winter time 

 these intelligent little creatures prepare beds or nests of the warmest description, into which they 

 creep for shelter from the cold ; they also 

 frequent chimneys, quite regardless of the ^sgjj§p 

 smoke and soot with which they are often 

 covered. 



The Sparrow will attach itself to man, 

 but never sufficiently so to overlook the pre- 

 cautions necessary for its safety; it is ever 

 upon its guard, and when angry even its in- 

 flated plumage cannot conceal the glances 

 of its bright and crafty little eye ; the un- 

 expected opening of a window, the approach 

 of a stranger, or even a stick held up like a 

 gun, will at once excite alarm and cause its 

 instant flight. Unlike the Pigeon race, this 

 bird seems to become more wary and cunning 

 as its intimacy with man increases — indeed, 

 it never seems to forget the lessons taught 

 by experience. Despite the clumsiness of 



its shape, the Sparrow has an air indicative of considerable spirit, as it hops energetically over 

 the ground with tail borne aloft and head erect. The social disposition of these birds in no way 

 interferes with their natural inclination to pick a quarrel upon every opportunity, and the most 

 ludicrous combats often take place between the males relative to the appropriation of a mate. On 

 these occasions, when the battle rages furiously, males and females alike mingle in the strife, until 

 both parties come pecking, tumbling, and screaming through the air, to conclude the fight upon some 

 neighbouring roof, forgetful in their fury of the safety they usually prize so highly, and take such 

 precautions to ensure. During these contests they carry the head and neck erect, the tail raised, and 

 their wings somewhat drooping. The Sparrow seldom flies at any great height ; if perched upon a 

 steeple, or other similar elevation, it will drop rapidly towards the ground before commencing its 

 flight, rising again in a direct line when it wishes to attain the same altitude as before, although this 

 attempt at soaring appears to cost the bird a great effort ; it prefers, however, living at some distance 

 from the ground. 



These birds are capable of enduring almost any degree of cold, and but few perish even during 

 the most severe winters. The note of the Sparrow is extremely unpleasing ; the young utter the same 

 cry as the parents, and are very noisy while being fed. The female is exceedingly prolific, breeding 

 sometimes thrice during the year. The nest, which is built early in the spring, is little more than a 

 rude heap of straw, sticks, and paper, lined with feathers, and furnished with a kind of lid. Even this 



SPARROWS NEST. 



