Mix the flour, eggs, water and salt together until you have a batter. Let rest for 30 minutes. Bring salted water to the boil and add a tablespoon of the batter to the water (this is how the sparrows are made). Cook in salted water until the sparrows swim on top.
Keep warm in a bowl with a lid and meanwhile heat some butter in a pan and fry the breadcrumbs until golden. Pour over the sparrows and serve with applesauce or apple compote.