File:Stories about birds of land and water (1874) (14564178170).jpg

Identifier: storiesaboutbird00kirb (find matches)
Title: Stories about birds of land and water
Year: 1874 (1870s)
Authors: Kirby, Mary, 1817-1893 Kirby, Elizabeth, 1823-1873
Subjects: Birds -- Juvenile literature
Publisher: Hartford (Conn.) : American Publishing Co.
Contributing Library: American Museum of Natural History Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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et, taking care not to be entangled. And so intentwere they on the peas, that they allowed us to approach within a yard or two,and then, with great reluctance, barely moved out of our reach; in fact, it wasa game which should have the most peas, and the sparrows won it by alarge majority. Very seldom, however, does a sparrow pursue an insect on the wing, forit is rather a clumsy bird, and though it may dart again and again, generallyloses it. It dearly loves to feed on house-flies, and comes seeking after themclose to the house. If it were not for the sparrows and the robins, thesetroublesome insects would abound more than they do. THE SPARROW. 139 In dry weather, and when the sparrow is making its little hops and jumpson the ground, or among the branches, it may be said to look its best. Itsfeathers are brown and compact, and we might almost call it handsome.But when it is sitting still, and in wet weather, its plumage seems loose anduntidy, and it presents a very forlorn appearance.
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TRi-E SPARROW, AND HOUSE SPARROW. The country sparrow, we must tell you, is much better looking than itsrelation in the town. The town sparrow gets so dirty with smoke and dust,that nothing can be more dismal than its appearance. At all times the sparrow has rather untidy habits, and loves to roll in thesand or gravel on the road, and cast it up all over itself, and continues to doso for a long time ; and when the sun is hot it basks in it, and sits croucliingen the roof or the wall as if it were thoroughly enjoying itself. STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. The house sparrow cannot sing; it can only make a loud noisy chirp.And yet so great is the power of imitation, that a sparrow, that was once shutup in a cage with a linnet and a goldfinch, learnt a kind of song that was amixture of the notes of each. In spring, when the sparrow is choosing a partner, and thinking aboutbuilding a nest, a great many fierce quarrels take place. A dozen or moresparrows may be seen scolding, and pecking, and chasing

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