22 
SPARROWS. 
from that of the Sparrow. The circumstance attracted 
the notice of the lady’s neighbours, who often 
watched these daily visits ; and some of them, to try 
the extent of the Sparrow’s kindness, also hung their 
birds out at the window, when they found them also 
fed; but the first and longest visit Avas always paid 
by the Sparrow to his original friend the Canary. 
Though thus intimate and social with his own 
kind, it was observed that this Sparrow was exceed- 
ingly shy and timid with respect to human beings; 
for though many were witnesses of the above, they 
were obliged to keep at a distance, and use great 
caution, otherwise he immediately flew away. This 
attention was carried on throughout the Summer, 
and extended to the beginning of Autumn, when the 
visits entirely ceased, whether intentionally on the 
part of the Sparrow, or that he met with some acci- 
dent, could not be ascertained. 
That they will attend to their young, far beyond 
the usual period, in case of necessity, the following 
anecdote will prove, though we believe many, if not 
most birds, will do the same, under similar circum- 
stances; the experiment may be easily tried, by 
slightly tying the wings of young birds, when nearly 
fledged, or confining them by a thread to the bottom 
of the nest, taking care not to injure them. A pair 
of Sparrows, which had built in the thatched roof of 
a house, were observed to continue their regular 
visits to the nest, long after the time when the 
young birds ought naturally to have taken flight. 
This unusual circumstance continued throughout the 
year, and in the Winter, a gentleman, who had all 
along observed them, determined on finding out the 
