342 PASSER DOMESTICUS. 



with brownish-red ; the large coverts are darker, but with 

 broader brownish-red margins, and slightly tipped with whitish ; 

 the first row of smaller coverts brownish-black, their terminal 

 half white ; the rest brownish-red, their concealed part black. 

 The tail is wood-brown, the outer webs blackish, the margins 

 yellowish-grey. 



Length to end of tail 6^ inches, extent of wings 9/^ '-> wing 

 from flexure oj% ; tail 2-^^ ; bill along the ridge ^, along the 

 edge of lower mandible j% ; tarsus /tj ; first toe 4i twelfths, its 

 claw j% ; second toe 1%, its claw 2^ twelfths ; third two j%, its 

 claw^ 34 twelfths ; fourth toe j^^-, its claw 2^ twelfths. 



Female. — The female is somewhat smaller, and less deeply 

 coloured. The bill is light greyish-brown, as are the feet ; the 

 iris dark brown. The head and hind-neck are greyish-brown. 

 Above the eye is a pale yellownsh-grey band. The ear-coverts 

 are brownish-grey, as are all the lower parts, the abdomen fad- 

 ing to brownish-w^hite, the under tail-coverts darker in the 

 centre. The back and scapulars are dull yellowish-brown, the 

 feathers black on the inner web. The wings and tail are 

 brownish-black, the edges of the feathers light yellowish-brown, 

 and the transverse band formed by the tips of the first row of 

 small coverts pale yellowish-grey. 



Length to end of tail 6 ; extent of wings 9i\ ; w4ng from 

 flexure 2j J ; tail 2^^ ; bill along the ridge 5f twelfths ; tarsus 

 j^^ ; middle toe and claw j% . 



Variations. — The Sparrow exhibits several remarkable va- 

 riations, individuals of various tints sometimes occurring. I 

 have seen it pure w^hite, cream-coloured, dusky or nearly black, 

 and frequently with white feathers, especially quills. Speci- 

 mens of this latter kind are not very uncommon. 



Changes in Colour. — Toward summer, when the tips of the 

 feathers are worn ofl", the head becomes pure bluish-grey, the 

 fore-neck deep black, and the dark markings on the back are 

 more conspicuous. The female undergoes a corresponding 

 chano^e, w^hich, however, is not so evident, as her head is brown, 



