6 
picks amongst the refuse thrown out from the houses for any remnants of food that may have 
been cast out amongst it. 
In open places where there are a few trees in the towns, such as the gardens in the squares 
or in the parks, it is eminently useful in ridding the foliage of the insects which would otherwise 
destroy the leaves and tender shoots; and its utility in this respect has led to its being introduced 
into the United States, where in the main streets there are avenues of trees which, previous to 
the introduction of the present species, were rendered bare and leafless by the ravages of cater- 
pillars. During the breeding-season insects, whenever they are to be had, form the staple food 
of both old and young birds. Mr. Snell says that it is very fond of the seeds of Polygonum 
aviculare ; and it may occasionally be seen to catch the common white butterflies (Papilio brassice 
et rape) on the wing, though not so frequently as one could wish. It destroys, however, myriads 
_of the small smooth caterpillars and larve which feed on the buds of the trees, and is one of the 
best guardians of the orchard. It is true that it also takes toll of the fruit; but one can well 
spare a little when one reflects how much the crop of fruit is dependent on its active labours 
in destroying these noxious insects. 
The Sparrow is eminently gregarious: ‘even during the breeding-season one observes it 
in small groups searching after food; and in the autumn and winter they collect in flocks and 
frequent the hedges and stack-yards, and are often seen in very large flocks in the corn-fields. 
Though bold and impudent to a degree, the Sparrow is by no means unwary; and though in the 
street it will hardly hop out of the way of a passing horse or any one walking along the path, 
yet when abroad in the fields or in a stack-yard it will keep a careful watch, and, should it 
perceive a suspicious person prowling about, it is careful to keep well away from him, and will 
not permit him to approach within gunshot-range. 
The note of the Sparrow is a lively chirp, often repeated, especially when it passes in and 
out of its nesting-hole, or when two or three are collected together, as if holding converse over 
the state of affairs in general and their own immediate prospects in particular. They often 
collect together to roost in large flocks, and retire for the night in some large closely foliaged 
tree or in some ivy-covered gable-end or wall. When a lad, living in the country, I used often 
in the evening to come strolling home with my gun loaded; close to our house was a huge old 
fir tree, which had been broken off and had thrown out a dense mass of branches round the top; 
in this a vast number of Sparrows used to roost; and 1am ashamed to say that I have not unfre- 
quently wantonly discharged my gun at random into the thickest part of the tree, and rarely 
failed to bring down one or more of the unfortunate occupants. When collecting together to 
retire for the night, the Sparrows keep up an incessant chirping or chattering until they have 
settled down comfortably to rest. They are very fond of dusting themselves when the roads are 
dry, and may be seen fluttering and casting up the dust with evident satisfaction, continuing this 
action for some time; and they have also a partiality for basking in the sun like the barn-door 
fowl. The flight of the Sparrow is rapid and undulating, like that of the other Finches; and on 
the ground it progresses by hops with apparent ease. 
Early in the spring pairing takes place; and the males then fight desperately for the pos- 
session of the females, Several males may then be seen engaged in combat, incessantly uttering 
their usual note in a loud angry tone; but when they have paired, the males meet without the 
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