Some African Sparrows. 3 



shy little bird at first, but after a week or two was quite capable 

 o!" holding" its own with the other occupants of tlie aviary — 

 weavers, buntint^s, grosbeaks, etc. 



A less successful attempt was made by my Yellow- 

 throated Sparrows {Pcironia pctroncUa). This is the diamond 

 Sparrow^ of South and East Africa, and does not seem to be 

 very freely imported. Its chief distinguishing" marks are a 

 bi oafl buff eyelirow-streak, and a bright yellow spot on the 



Photo by W. Shore Hiiily, F.Z.S. 

 Hen^Yellow-throated Sparrow at nest. 



throat. As in the last named species the sexes are alike, and 

 it is very difficult to i)ick cut true pairs: to this I attribute my 

 want of success, as, in all probability, I was trying to breed from 

 two hens. These birds went to nest three times in an artificial 

 log. Three eggs were laid each time, of the usual sparrow 

 type, but noticeably smaller than those of Passer arcuatus and 

 P. swainsoni, and having a slight gloss. If I can get hold of a 

 cock I shall hope to breed them this coming season. I rather 

 think that the species has not yet been bred in England. 



