228 
SPARROWS. 
actually killed, instead of preserved, by the over-zealous 
kind attentions of bis mate. Tlie case occurred in the 
Spring of 1818, in Surrey. Tbe pair were in search of a 
place for building their nest ; and the male bird, finding a 
tempting hole among the tiles of the roof, got into it ; un- 
fortunately, he became entangled in the broken mortar, and 
could not force his way back. The female saw his situation, 
and after flying backwards several times, twittering, and 
apparently in great distress, attempted to pull him out. 
Several birds were attracted by the accident, and came flut- 
tering round, but were beaten off by the hen Sparrow. She 
then redoubled her own efforts to get him out, and seizing 
his beak above the nostrils, with her own beak, pulled it so 
hard that she killed him. She did not appear, however, 
aware of the mischief she had done, but continued pulling 
at the dead body of the unfortunate bird, with as much per- 
severance as if it had been alive. She was, at length, driven 
away by a person who saw the whole transaction, and with 
some difficulty extricated the dead bird. Its head was 
dreadfully mangled, and the beak of tbe hen had evidently 
penetrated the brain. About an hour afterwards, a Sparrow, 
supposed to be this hen, was observed sitting on the very 
spot where the accident had happened, crouched together, 
with her feathers all standing up, so as to give her the ap- 
pearance of a ball, conveying a perfect idea of disconsolate 
suffering. 
Timid as birds are, attachment to their young will fre- 
quently change their very nature, and inspire a boldness and 
confidence in these little creatures, which calls for respect 
and admiration. What can be more interesting than the 
affection of the two Linnets we are about to mention? 
A nest, containing four young ones, scarcely fledged, was 
found by some children, who resolved to carry them home for 
the purpose of rearing and taming the young birds. The old 
ones, attracted by their chirping, continued fluttering round 
the children, till they reached the house, when the nest 
was carried upstairs to the nursery, and placed outside the 
window. The old birds soon afterwards made their appear- 
