HOUSE SPARROAV. 343 



and the black on the neck wanting. Farther on in the season, 

 the colours fade considerably, and the feathers become worn 

 and ragged. 



Habits. — The House Sparrow is the boldest and most fami- 

 liar of our Passerine birds, and indeed of all our native species, 

 not excepting the Robin and Chaffinch. This fact has been 

 questioned, and it has been alleged that, although apparently 

 familiar, it is in reality more shy than many other small birds. 

 But it must be obvious to every one that unless when pursued, 

 and apprehensive of danger, it admits of a nearer approach 

 than would seem safe to any other bird of its size, and that it 

 will not hesitate to pick up its food from the door or window, 

 even in the midst of the domestic fowls, which frequently pur- 

 sue it. No doubt, when abroad in the fields, or in a corn-yard, 

 and perceiving a suspicious-looking person prowling about with 

 a gun, the sparrows do not conceive themselves safe in his im- 

 mediate vicinity, and in this they evince their prudence and 

 observation ; but in ordinary cases, if one should want a dozen 

 of sparrows, he could have no difficulty in obtaining them. 

 Towards the end of autumn, and in winter, when they often 

 fly about the hedges in large packs, they become more shy ; 

 and should a gunner fire once or twice at a flock, he might find 

 it difficult to get within shot again, although even then it would 

 be much easier to thin them than to obtain specimens from a 

 Hock of Chaffinches, Green Linnets, or Yellow Buntings. The 

 Sparrows in fact are extremely vigilant when on a marauding 

 expedition, and fly ofl* from a field of wheat when a person 

 stands at the distance of two hundred or more yards ; yet, 

 when in small groups, or scattered, they are less sensitive, and 

 on the streets and roads, as well as in the hedges, will allow 

 people to pass quite close to them. 



The social propensity is more apparent in the Sparrow than 

 in any other British species of its family ; for even during the 

 breeding season, it is seen searching for food in small groups, 

 and in autumn and winter it is decidedly gregarious, although 

 irregularly so, for the individuals of a flock do not seem to con- 

 sort with each other exclusively, and betake themselves to th^ 



