SPA 
French conchologifts exprefs a kind of bivalve 
fliell-fifh, found on the coall of Poitou, and in 
fonne other places. It is about one inch in 
length, and three-quarters of an inch in breadth: 
both the fhells are confiderably convex; the outer 
furface is deeply furrowed, but the infide is per- 
fetlly fmooth. 
This fifh buries itfelf flightly in the fand; and 
has a pipe of communication, which it raifes to 
the furface. The Sourdon is capable of a pro- 
grcfllve motion by means of a limb, fomewhat 
refembling that of the chams, to which it feems 
properly to belong. 
SOW. The female of the hog kind. See 
Hog. 
SPANIEL; the Canis Avicularius of Lin- 
naeus: a variety of the canis familiaris; a fpecies 
of dog ufed in fowling. 
There are two varieties of this kind: the firft, 
formerly ufed in hawking to fpring the game, the 
fame with our ftarters; the other applied only for 
the net, and formerly denominated index, or fetter. 
Britain has been famous for producing dogs of 
this fort, particular care having been taken to 
preferve the breed in it's utmoft purity; fo that, 
notwithftanding the name Spaniel is fuppofed to 
be derived from Spain, it is more than probable 
that the race is indigenous. The pointer, a dog 
of foreign extraflion, was unknown to our ancef- 
tors. The aquaticus, or finder, was the fame 
with our Water-Spaniel, and ufed to find or re- 
cover the game that was loft. 
Spaniel, Gentle. An appellation by which 
fome exprefs the lap-dog. See Lap-Dog. 
SPANISH FLIES. See Cantharides. 
SPARGUS. A name by which Gaza expreffes 
the common Sparus ; called alfo fluta. 
Artedi diftinguifnes it by the appellation of the 
plain yellow fparus, widi an annular fpot near the 
tail. 
SPARLING. A name by which the dried 
fmelt is commonly known in London. 
SPARLING FOWL. An appellation fome- 
times given to the female merganfer, more ufually 
denominated the dun-diver. 
SPARROW. A large order of birds ; for the 
diftinguifhing characters of which, fee Passeres. 
As birds of the Sparrow kind are the favourites 
of mankind, they are chiefly feen in the vicinity 
of their habitations. All the great birds dread to 
approach the human race; and retire to the im- 
penetrable fhades of the foreft, or the brow of the 
moft craggy precipice: but thefe feldom refort to 
the thicker parts of the wood ; they generally keep 
near it's edges, in the neighbourhood of culti- 
vated fields; in the hedge-rows of farm grounds; 
and even in yards, where they mingle with the do- 
meftic fowl. 
This partiality of Sparrows to the vicinage of 
men, does not, however, originate from any focial 
alfetlion on their part, as they approach inhabited 
grounds merely becaufe their chief fubfiftence is 
found in fuch fituations. In the depth of the de- 
fart, or the gloom of the foreft, no grain is to be 
met with; none of thofe tender buds which are 
fo grateful to their appetites: and infedls them- 
felves, which conftitute fuch a large proportion 
of their food, are not found there in abundance. 
As v/e penetrate deeper into woods, the filence 
becomes more profound; every thing wears the 
look of awful ftillnefs; there are none of thofe 
warbiings, none of thofe murmurs, that awaken 
Vol. II. 
SPA, 
pleafing attention, as near the habitations of men ; 
there is nothing of that indefcribable buzz, formed 
by the united, though diftant voices of quadru- 
peds and birds; but all is profound and folemn 
filence. If any found is heard in thefe fituations, 
it Is fuch as muft excite horror rather than plea- 
fure: wild beafts roar; ferpents hifs; and Nature 
puts on her moft uninviting afpeft. 
Befides the natural defire of food, which Is 
only to be found in the vicinity of man, thefe 
birds have another very ftrong inducement to 
feek his fociety. The greater birds, like rob- 
bers, chufe the moft dreary defarts for their re- 
treats; and, if they do not find, they create a foli- 
tude around them. The fmall birds fly from their 
tyranny; and feek proteftion where they know 
their moft inveterate enemies will not dare to pur- 
fue them. 
Ail birds, even thofe of paflfage, feem content 
with a certain diftri6l to provide food, and breed 
in. The rcd-breaft and the wren feldom quit the 
field where they have been brought up, or where 
their young have been reared: even though per- 
fecuted, they fly along the hedges, and feem per- 
tinacloufly attached to the place where their fond- 
eft afFeilions centre. The truth is, all thefe fmall 
birds prefcribe limits to themfelves, v^^hich they 
permit none of their own fpecies to refide in; 
they guard their dominions with the moft vigilant 
refentment; and two male tenants are feldom feen 
together in the fame hedge. Thus, though N ature 
feems to have fitted thefe little animals for a life 
of unreftrained liberty and extenfi.ve excurfion, 
they are fatlsfied with narrow limits, nor feek hap- 
pinefs in an enlarged fphere of aClion. Food and 
fafety appear to be the only motives which inter- 
rupt their repofe; and, v.'hen thefe are enjoyed, 
they feem contented: but as the former feldom 
continues throughout the whole year, almofl; 
every bird is then conftrained to change it's abode. 
Some receive the appellation of birds of paflTage 
from their being obliged to undertake long jour- 
nies for this purpofe; but, ftriftly fpeaking, al- 
moft every fpecies is a bird of paflfage, though 
their migrations may be confined to places lefs 
remote. At fome particular feafons of the year, 
all fmall birds migrate from one country to ano- 
ther, or from the more interior provinces towards 
the fea-coaft. 
Singing well nigh compleatly belongs to the 
Sparrow kind; and this delightful quality is al- 
moft unlverfally the prerogative of the males. 
With birds it is the reverfe of what occurs in the 
human kind. Among the feathered tribe, the 
moft weighty concerns of life fall to the lot of the 
female : her's is the fatigue of incubation ; and on 
her devolves the principal care of nurfing the 
helplefs brood. To alleviate thefe fatigues, and 
fupport her under them. Nature has afllgned fong 
to the male : this ferves as a note of blandifhmenc 
at firft to attrail her afFeftions, as well as to de- 
light her during the time of her incubation ; but 
it ferves ftlll farther as a note of fecurity, aflfuring 
her that nothing is at hand to moleft her. The 
male, while his mate is hatching, perches on fome 
neighbouring tree, continuing at once to watch 
and to fing. While the female hears his voice, 
flie refts in confident fecurity; but if any danger 
prefents itfelf, the male, who till that moment was 
fo loud and fportlve, ftops all of a fudden; and 
this Is a furc fignal to his mate inftantly to pro- 
vide for her own fafety. 
4 F Th^ 
