(China Daily)
Updated: 2007-11-29 10:44

Farmers in urban Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, have been puzzled by the number of sparrows flying in, lining up by ditches and taking baths.

Hundreds of the birds have been gathering daily at the ditches between 10 am and 11 am and take turns to clean their feathers with ditch water.

After grooming the birds stay by the banks of the ditch and sunbathe, singing all the time.

An elderly farmer said sparrows are often seen in the fields but it is unusual for them to flock to the city and bathe in such large groups.

(www.kingboo.net)