100 PEARLS AND PEBBLES. 



sparrow is more suited for picking worms than taking 

 up hard grain." 



To sum up, the sparrow, an irivited guest, an assisted 

 immigrant, was at first welcomed ; then, when he had 

 done the work required of him, we find he has other 

 qualities for which we gave no contract, consequently we 

 would like to assist him home again or exterminate him, 

 as one who has out-worn his welcome. 



Though he betrays no secrets, he is an eaves-dropper 

 of the worst description. He makes holes in our eaves, 

 and scatters the straw about, and is a nuisance ; yet, on 

 the other hand, he is a good scavenger and helps to keep 

 the air about the house pure. 



He is a bold, impertinent fellow who is always at 

 hand to eat up the crumbs thrown out for his betters, 

 and moreover he labors under the imputation of driving 

 away other birds of more value in our eyes, but is known 

 to be possessed of no more superior powers than they 

 are provided with. 



Thus the two heaviest counts in the indictment are : 

 First, the destruction of grain ; second, the driving 

 away of the smaller and more valuable birds — both of 

 which indictments have been pleaded by counsel as not 

 proven. 



Have I made out a good case for the sparrows ? I 

 have said my say. I am only an old woman after all, 

 with a Briton's love of fair play, so let us give the poor 

 sparrow a chance. 



