THE SPARROW. 193 



uniting to form large flocks, which visit the lower grounds and 

 stubble fields in search of seeds and grain. Macgillivray states that 

 it feeds largely on the seeds of the cultivated grasses, and that ho 

 has found the contents of the stomachs of those shot to consist almost 

 entirely of such. 



Early in the spring the flocks break up, partners are selected, and 

 building operations commenced. The nest is placed on the ground, 

 among heath or gorse, on the rugged slopes of the mountains. It 

 is neatly constructed, and consists externally of dry grass, small roots, 

 heather, and moss, and is lined with wool, hair, and a few feathers. 



The eggs rarely exceed six in number, and are of a pale greenish or 

 bluish white, marked chiefly at the larger end with light reddish 

 brown and purplish red, with sometimes a few blackish dots. Only 

 one brood is usually roared in a season. 



The ordinary note of this bird resembles the word twite, hence its 

 name. Mr. Selby says its song is pleasing, though scarcely equal in 

 compass to that of the Common Linnet. 



The Twite flies rapidly, and in an undulated manner ; before alighting 

 it wheels around several times, uttering a soft twitter at intervals. 

 It is by no means a shy bird, but if disturbed generally betakes 

 itself to lofty trees, or to some distant field. 



THE SPARROW, 



{Passer domesticus.) 



PLATE XII. FIQUEE VI. 



The Sparrow, to which the appellation of the word common is more 

 appropriate than to any other British bird, is as well known to the 

 inhabitants ot the greater part of the European continent as to our- 

 selves. The dark-skinned dwellers in the northern parts of Africa, 

 and the Asiatics of the districts bordering on the Himalaya Mountains, 

 are also well acquainted with his bold, pert, and familiar ways. Over 

 a largo portion of the globe, wherever man rears his habitation, bo it 

 the mud cottage of poverty, or the marble palace of royalty, this little 

 bird takes up its abode also, building its nest and rearing its young 

 in the thatch of the former, or among the sculptured ornaments of the 



2 c 



