PASSERINiE. 365 



it is common in the north of Africa, spreading to the south of 

 Europe and Western Asia. It is said to be common at Kandahar, 

 and to build both in houses and on trees. 



708. Passer cinnamomeus, Gould. 



Pyrgita, apud Gould, P. Z. S. 1835 — Blyth, Cat. 6-^5— - 

 HoRSF., Cat. 762. 



The Cinnamon-he4ded Sparrow. 



Descr. — Male, with the whole upper plumage, including the 

 shoulder and fore part of the wings, bright cinnamon rufous, 

 marked on the middle of the back with black streaks ; a small 

 white bar on the wing, formed by the tips of the lesser coverts ; 

 wings dusky, the feathers edged and tipped with pale brown ; 

 primaries pale brown at their base on the outer webs ; plumage 

 beneath, and cheeks, yellowish, with a tinge of grey, albescent 

 towards the vent and under tail-coverts ; chin and throat with a 

 narrow central black patch. 



The female is light brown above, with a pale supercilium, wants 

 the black throat band, and is dingy brown beneath. Length 

 5^ inches ; wing 2| ; tail barely 2. 



This Sparrow is found chiefly in the N. W. Himalayas, but 

 also occurs in Nepal, and even in Bootan, according to Horsfield. 

 I never procured it in Sikhim, nor has Mr. Blyth seen specimens 

 from Darjeeling or Nepal. Hutton says that it breeds at Mus- 

 sooree, and that he suspected it to build in sheds, though he did 

 not actually observe it to do so. It is chiefly a jungle bird, 

 perhaps, and Adams records that it is common in Cashmere, 

 and is seen in flocks, in w^ooded copses, and round hamlets. Its 

 chirp is stated by Hutton to resemble that of the common 

 Sparrow. 



709. Passer pyrrhonotus, Blyth. 



J. A. S. XIII. 946~Blyth, Cat. 643. 



The Rufous-backed Sparrow. 



Descr. — !Male above, head and car-coverts grey, with a chesnut 

 stripe from the eye to the nape ; the rest of the plumage maronne, 



