SPARROW DAY AGAIN

WHERE HAVE THE BIRDS GONE?
By Hema Ravi

(Teacher, St Mark's School, Chennai)

"Chittukuruvi muttham kodhuthu" (meaning: The sparrow kissed me) brings back fond memories of our younger
days. Our summers were always spent watching these birds build their nests
in the niches of our homes, in the attic, and any other tiny corner that was
away from human eyes. Today, these birds seem to be declining slowly. The
other day, I took a walk in the Theosophical Society, and once again, I
enjoyed the chirping and familiar sound of these birds. (Long, long
afterwards, American poet H.W. Longfellow's poem comes to mind)
Watching and hearing the sparrows was a feast to the
eye and the ear indeed! I would like to share this verse with Young World readers.

Seed eating passerine bird,
Small, pink legged, conical bill
Grey brown, black throated males,
Grey brown with eye bordered females,
Black and tawny streaks on back,
Black winged feathers with white patches
Grayish white breasted birds.

Busying themselves in spring with
Straw, paper, twigs and grass
Nesting on low branches, in our homes, in sheds.
Children watched with interest nests in their homes,
Small birds perched on ledges or lofts.
Today, these have become a rarity,
Where have these sparrows gone?