86 
SPARROW. 
own real interests, and that their ‘Insanity’ may only be 
‘Temporary.’ In flower gardens Sparrows do some little 
mischief, especially among the gay blossoms of early spring, 
whether in search of insects or for mere amusement it is 
hard to say. Crocuses and other bright-coloured flowers they 
seem to prefer, picking off the yellow ones, and leaving the 
purple and the white blossoms. 
The note of this bird is a monotonous chirp, known to every 
one, and in addition to it a curious buzzing noise has been 
observed by one or two persons to have been uttered by this 
bird, but whether produced by the motion of the tail, which 
was kept fluttering all the time, or whether it proceeded from 
the throat, they seem to have been unable correctly to ascer¬ 
tain. The Rev. J. Pemberton Bartlett, at Kingston, and 
the Rev. Arthur Hussey, at Rottingdean, Sussex, both noticed 
it, and have recorded their observations thereon in the 
‘Zoologist,’ at pages 353 and 452-3. These birds may often 
be seen and heard holding assemblies together, with a great 
deal of noise and clamour; and, as in ‘another place,’ there 
is a good deal that is unintelligible, and a large amount of 
repetition in what they say. The late William Thompson, 
Esq., of Belfast, says that he has heard them begin their 
chattering in the ivy that surrounded a town house at ten 
minutes past three in the morning, in the month of June, 
half an hour before they stirred out. 
Mr. W. Kidd asserts in ‘The Naturalist,’ vol. i., page 
150, that if a young Sparrow be taken from the nest when 
not more than four days old, before, that is to say, it has 
had time to learn its vernacular language, and be kept within 
hearing of a Canary, for instance, and of a Canary only, in 
full song, it will, in less than three weeks, begin to utter the 
notes of the Canary, and that in a short time the pupil will 
rival the master in song. I wish for the sake of many a 
young learner of a different species, that the science of music 
could be always as easily acquired. 
The nest, which is large in size, and very loosely compacted, 
is usually placed under the eaves of the tiles of houses or 
other buildings, or in any hole or cavity that will supply it 
with a convenient receptacle for its brood. It is compiled of 
hay, straw, wool, moss, or twigs, and a profusion of feathers, 
which they are sometimes seen conveying to their holes even 
in winter. It often measures as much as six inches in 
diameter, and sometimes even much more, if the situation 
