THE HOUSE SPARROW. 
647 
walker and flyer,—one cannot help remarking the dispro¬ 
portion existing between its bodily powers and its capacity 
for intelligence. The Sparrow knows man and his habits 
by heart: it never risks its independence in his hands, 
nor ceases to hold an unfavourable opinion of the lord of 
the creation! The older the bird is the more is this dis¬ 
trust developed: a young Sparrow is a dunderhead; the 
old bird, a sage ! Cleverness, cunning, artifice, caution, 
and memory combined, distinguish its conduct. The 
Sparrow is not a creature with but one idea, but versatile 
in the extreme; to man’s cunning it opposes its own 
’cuteness; artfulness is met by caution, whilst its cleverness 
and patience render abortive all plans laid for its capture 
or destruction. It is not easily deceived or ensnared; it 
first proves, then judges, and finally comes to a definite 
determination. It is perfectly aware that man is its most 
bitter enemy, and yet, in spite of all this distrust, it 
follows him everywhere, and attaches itself to him, for it is 
well aware that it is indebted to man for its nourishment. 
Thus, supply of food is the bond which links this bird 
to us. The Sparrow feeds principally on grain, especially 
such as is of a farinaceous nature. It is fond of wheat, 
oats, and barley, but millet is its favourite food; next to 
these seeds it feeds on buds, fruits of all kinds, and sweet 
berries : hence it is, at times , destructive, but the damage 
done can scarcely be looked upon as very great, for the 
season during which the Sparrow robs man, is so short as 
to render the mischief scarcely perceptible when we would 
seek to estimate it; and it is only when a flock of 
Sparrows settle on a single cherry-tree or vine, or attack 
one wheat-field, or bed of seeds in particular, that the 
theft makes itself felt; and when such forbidden delicacies 
are plentiful the loss is not worth speaking of. It is only 
