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His manners are both rude and bold;
Other birds with he'd go away,
But he says: "No, I've come to stay."
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WHY THE SPARROW LIVES IN TOWN
DR. ROOK and his wife were out walking, " Who-oo-op!" came a voice from a tree over their heads. "Here's a pair of glum ones ! Hooray!" Now, Dr. Rook and Mrs. Rook were very solemn-looking Birds, but that was no excuse for the Sparrow being so impertinent - for it was a Sparrow that spoke. His full name was Jack Sparrow. Dr. Rook stopped quite still, put down his hat and umbrella, raised his claw, and said very hoarsely, "Mark my words, wife, that young fellow will come to a bad end." And so he did.
All this took place when the Sparrow was as yet one of the wood people. Now, as you know, he does not live in the deep woods, but stays close to the cities and towns where he can pick up food easily. And to live that way is regarded as a disgrace in Birddom. So this is how the disgrace came about.
Jack Sparrow and Tom Tit were talking one morning, as birds will, about their adventures, and Jack was saying how he wasn't afraid of anyone, and all the rest of it, when Tom Tit said:
"Ah, but what about the Eagle, Spadger? "
Jack Sparrow stopped a moment; even he was rather abashed at the idea; then he said:
"Well, what about his High and Mightiness?"
"Well," replied Tom Tit, "you wouldn't dare to go and talk to him, I'll be bound."
" Wouldn't I, though? Now you just watch. I'll go and have dinner at the Palace this very day,"
Tom Tit laughed scornfully. The idea was too ridiculous: Jack Sparrow dining at the Palace! But Jack stuck to it, and grew more and more determined.
When dinner-time came he said to Tom Tit; "Coming to see me have a bit of dinner with the Eagles? Can if you like!"
As luck would have it, His Majesty the Eagle was dining by himself in the Palace gardens, so that Jack Sparrow's task was made all the easier for him, as he didn't have to get admission to the royal rooms.
Summoning up all his courage, he hopped up close to the King and said, "Fine day, your Majesty!"
The Eagle looked astonished; but, as he was in a good humor just then (having nearly finished a very excellent dinner), he merely bowed his head.
Young Sparrow felt very much encouraged, and proceeded happily: You seem to have been enjoying a good meal, sir! Got a good appetite ? Ha!Excellent thing - liver all right? Glad to hear it - now, I suffer terribly in that way - nothing I take seems to suit me."
He might have seen that the Eagle was beginning to look displeased, but he didn't look - he was too delighted with his success so far. He went on:
"Missis and the little ones all right?" (The King's feathers began to be ruffled.) "What's that you've been having for dinner? You don't mean to tell me it's bones? Now, if there's one thing that I do fancy above all other things it is bones. I think you might offer me a bit."(Here he saucily cocked his head on one side and looked up at the Eagle; he saw how angry His Majesty was looking, but he went on.) "Oh, well, no offense, I hope, but I'd like to try it." And the foolish little bird hopped forward and gave a peck at the dish.
The Eagle gave a shrill whistle. In an instant the Palace grounds were filled with guards - Hawks, Falcons, Vultures and other Birds of prey - and the unhappy Sparrow was a prisoner.
He was put in jail, and next morning the King declared that Jack Sparrow was to be banished forever from the Kingdom of Free Birds because of his impertinence. Henry Altemus Company.
LATE SPRING.
A-LACK-A-DAY, good neighbor,
The winter stretches long!
How can you have the courage
To raise so sweet a song?
My voice is fairly ruined
By this cold that's in my head.
And food's so scarce - why, really,
I can't find a crumb of bread.
Oh ! come now, brother sparrow.
What's the use of feeling blue,
"When winter's sturdy backbone
Is almost broke in two?
Our coldest snap is over-
The spring will soon be here.
With gentle showers, and dainty flowers,
With plenty and good cheer!
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