A BIRD-STORY.
[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—A curious case of the beneficence of what we call the lower creatures has been told me by a lady of Bournemouth in whose garden it occurred. A belated greenfinch fell into her verandah one day in a dying state apparently, but was restored by the care and nourishment given it, and went away, It returned in the next season with several others and renewed friendly relations, and they came regularly to be fed, but always driving away the sparrows which gathered, and who were not permitted to pick up a crumb till the finches were satisfied. Only one sparrow, which had lost a leg, was per- mitted to feed with the finches without molestation of any kind. The masterful treatment of the sparrows by the green- finches seems to me exceptional, as they feed together on my lawn in the most friendly manner, and the sparrow is accounted a bully ; but the courtesy shown a cripple is one of the most remarkable incidents of bird life I have ever come across. The lady from whom I have it is distinguished for her zoophilism, and the finches do her honour by returning with the season.—I am, Sir, &c., Condercum, W. Bournemouth. W. J. STILLMAN.
Previous page
