“A {{w|Song sparrow|song-sparrow, Melospitza melodia}}, with a broken leg past mending, was kept in our house in a cage about a year and a half, fed, bathed, otherwise cared for and occasionally allowed the freedom of a room. A happier, merrier fellow, I never saw. He sang early and late, nearly the year round, moped a few dayss and died. The {{w|Taxidermy|taxidermist}} said he was much wasted in flesh, and had lived as long as he could. He was kept as comfortable as possible, and his song seemed purely an expression of happiness.”