approach near the fire-side, without tlie least dis- 
may, where a large Cricket happened to be out 
of his cell, which the Sparrow seized instantly, 
with such eagerness to all appearance, as though 
its booty was of the rarest kind, and would afford 
a sumptuous dish. It happened, however, that 
this poacher had nearly been disappointed of his 
game, for not having killed it on the spot, in car- 
rying it off to the place of execution, the poor 
little creature naturally became alarmed at its 
situation, made an effort, rescued itself, but in 
spite of the prodigious leaps which the terrified 
animal made, so resolute and eager was its anta- 
gonist that, after a few struggles, he succeeded in 
carrying it off, and placing it in the possession of its 
young. By them it must have been joyfully received, 
for almost in a moment the rogue returned, strutted 
boldly along to the same place, but hearing the 
report of a gun at that moment, (no doubt aimed 
for the destruction of some of its companions) its 
courage failed it so as to cause it to retreat. Its 
fears, however, being soon banished, in a few 
moments it returned a third time, hopping along 
apparently with the greatest confidence of success, 
but a lady, intending to watch its proceedings, 
having seated herself too near it, deterred it, and 
it made its exit without accomplishing its 
design. 
The Bluecap, the Flycatcher, the Spink, the 
Redbreast, the Warbler, the Wren, the Swallow, 
the Thrush, and the Blackbird, also may be 
