PECULIARITIES OF THE SPARROW.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3149, 1 August 1881, Page 4

PECULIARITIES OF THE SPARROW.

As to the history and acclimatisation of sparrows some amusing particulars might be stated. The sparrow is mentioned in the earliest writings, not, however, as a valuable bird, but as one familiarly known to everybody. " Are not two sparrows sold for a fathing ?" The remarkable thing about the animal is its audacity and determination of character. Wherever it goes, it insists within its sphere of trying to take the upper hand. Like the house fly, it will thrive almost in any climate, is not dainty in feeding, nor does it find any difficulty in making good its quarters wherever it pleases to settle. Its impertinence improves by cultivation. The London sparrow, for example, is usually more resolute and provoking than the sparrows of a country district. Every part of Great Britain may be said to have its own sparrow population, which keeps its ground against all intruders. By people generally, sparrows are not much noticed; they are allowed pretty much to do as they like. You see them twittering on the house tops, or squabbling among themselves for stray crumbs, that happen to be scattered about the roads or streets. The striking peculiarity in their conduct is, the exclusion of other small birds from any windfall in the way of food. Wherever he struts, the sparrow looks upon himself as master. Other birds are only endured or tolerated flying about in swarms. Varieties of small birds contrive to keep aloof from sparrowdom, and in the midst of the multiplicity of fields, woods, and picturesque recesses, have not serious cause to accuse the sparrow of hostility.—W. C. in Chambers's Journal.