SPARROWS. 
229 
ance, approached 
the nest, and fed 
the family, with- 
|.i out showing a- 
larm. This being 
noticed, the nest 
was soon after- 
wards placed on 
a table, in the 
middle of the 
) apartment, and 
the window left 
open. The pa- 
rent birds came 
boldly in, and fed 
their offspring as before. Still further to put their attach- 
ment to the test, the nest and young ones were placed within 
a bird-cage; still the old ones returned, entered boldly within 
the cage, and supplied the wants of their brood as before, and, 
I towards evening, actually perched on the cage, regardless of 
the noise made around them by several children. This con- 
tinued for several days, when an unlucky accident put an end 
to it. The cage had been again set on the outside of the 
window, and was unfortunately left exposed to a sudden and 
heavy fall of rain : the consequence was, that the whole of the 
young were drowned in the nest. The poor parents, who had 
so boldly and indefatigahly performed their duty, continued 
hovering round the house, and looking wistfully in at the 
window, for several days, and then disappeared .* 5 
Before we take leave of this tribe of small birds, we would 
say a word or two respecting the benefit or injuries imputed 
to them. That they are occasionally mischievous, cannot he 
denied ; though it is hut fair to add, that they also, like the 
Rooks before mentioned, repay us by a considerable balance 
of good. That the Bullfinch feeds on the buds and seeds of 
trees there can he no doubt; and that the Chaffinch, though, 
by many considered as a pure feeder on insects, does the 
* Edin. Phil . Jour. 
Linnet. 
