Fred was delighted when he saw them, although he was rather afraid to go near them, for they ruffled their feathers and looked so angry if any one attempted to touch them.
So the poor birds were put in an outhouse, and given raw meat to eat, and very miserable they looked.
After a few days Frank began to wish that he had never asked George to take them from their nest. You see, after Fred had seen them there was no more fun, and Frank thought that they might die if they were shut up for a long time in a cage.
"Fred," said Frank, "what do you think we should do with these birds?"
"Well," said Fred, "I think we ought to take them into the country and set them free again."
"Hurrah!" shouted Frank; "that is just what I was thinking. Let us do it now."
So Frank and Fred covered up the cage, and off they went.
I think the sparrow hawks must have been saying to each other, "Oh dear me! What are they going to do with us now?"