The
English sparrow, or finch, as he is more properly called, may be a
troublesome visitor, but we invited him to come, and he is not to blame
for some of his disagreeable ways. He is by no means useless, for he
clears the gutters of quantities of unsavory and unsightly fragments
which would decay and become a nuisance if not removed. The English
sparrow eats also a great many of the army worms which have done so much
harm in some parts of the country, and he has in many places entirely
destroyed the cankerworms.
He has good traits, and he may certainly be admired for his courage and
perseverance. He bears our hard winters very cheerfully, and when no
other birds are to be seen he flies about, chirping as bravely as in the
summer sunshine.
SPARROWS
Let skies be sunny or clouds hang low
Little brown sparrow away you go
Ever in search of food or fun
Come summer or winter rain or sun
Boughs of lilac whereon to rest
April spreads when you build your nest,
Autumn feeds you with golden corn
And berries ripe on the wayside thorn
Winter comes with its frost and snow
Waters may freeze and winds may blow
Yet little you care and nought you rue,
For every hand has a crumb for you
Through sunshine tomorrow and storm today
You go like a friar of orders gray,
Finding wherever your fancy leads,
A table spread for the wanderer's needs
CHRISTMAS IN NORWAY.
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