One hundred years ago
THE VANITY OF SPARROWS
Sir, — Permit me to ask those bird-lov- ing correspondents of yours, whose let- ters I have read with great interest in the Spectator, whether they have ever noticed the pleasure that sparrows apparently have in contemplating them- selves? My daughter writes to me from Bangalore that she is "obliged to cover up" her "looking-glass with a towel, for the sparrows come in, sit on the frame, and tap at themselves, making both glass and dressing-table in a horrid mess. At first, the towel kept them away; but they were always on the watch, and if any one threw back the towel, they would be there in a minute. But now they hold back the towel with one claw, hold themselves on with the other, and peck away at their images."
F.C.
The Spectator 26 August 1893
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