It was not many moments before the party from the Park saw the motionless bird, and without a thought that it was dead, proposed to have some sport with the stranger.
"He's a terribly glum-looking fellow," said the youngest of the party. "Let's go over and wake him up."
"He sits there as if he owned the whole city," said another, "and it will do him good to let him know that there are some in town who amount to as much as he does."
"Let's all fly down at once, and scare him," proposed the third; and no sooner was the idea suggested than it was carried into execution.
Down the four flew with a rush, directly past the solemn bird; but instead of showing signs of fear, he never winked.
Then the visitors perched on the ledge of the window, daring the stranger to come out and knock them off, and making use of a great many unsparrowly remarks; but no reply was made.
"I'll go up and flirt my wings in his face," said the most reckless one of the party; "and if that don't make him speak, I'm mistaken."
Full of the idea that he was about to do some brave thing in thus attacking one poor lone bird, this impudent sparrow did as he had said he would, and great was the surprise of all four when the stranger tumbled over as stiff as a poker.
"HAVE WE KILLED HIM?"