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what was do you mean by frivolous rebukes?

"Frivolous rebukes" is an expression used in the text The Portrait of a Lady. According to the context, the expression means that "the author's grandmother criticized or checked on the sparrows, in vain. Her sharp reprimands were of little importance to the sparrows, as the latter couldn't understand human language."

The word meaning of the words are as follows:
(a) Frivolous : 

1. Not having any serious purpose or value
   
2. (of a person) Carefree and not serious.

(b) Rebukes:

• Express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behavior or actions.