102 Older Passer if ovmes, Fainily Si/lviidup. 



The entrance to their nest proper is by far the hardest to find 

 of any species I know, and I would advance this theory in the 

 hope that observations may lead to a solution of the why and 

 wherefore of the upper nest. 



Both birds share in the carrying of material to the nest 

 and, so far as my observations go, in the actual building of their 

 home. Both also assist in the feeding of their young. The 

 food is insect life, secured principally from the ground. 



Though in form the nest found is typical oi' the species, a 

 great variation is noted in the materials used and in the site 

 chosen for the nest. Possibly slight preference is shown for 

 a drooping, leafy branch in which to hang the nest, but dense 

 hedges and parastic growths in prickly shrubs are as frecjuently 

 resorted to. I once observed an authentic nest, with upjfcr 

 nest also, bnilt in the crevice between a large piece of bark and 

 a gum-tree trunk, and have often noted the nest built under 

 the large stick nest of Hawks and Eagles; and once at least 

 found young of both species in such a position. 



The usual clutch of eggs setnns to be three, though four eggs 

 are frequently found. The color of eggs is typically fmre white, 

 but occasional eggs in a set are Sfjotted with reddish brown at 

 larger end. T can recall to mind a full set of three eggs that 

 were all finely freckled, but this is of rare occurreruii. 



The young have the adult plumage wh" i leaving the nest. 



An average ncn-theni nest measures externally S inches 

 in depth by 4^ inches wide. The cup n<'st measures 2.', inches 

 in diameter by barely 1 J inches in depth. Externally it is 

 niiade of shoi't, small twigs, gi'ass. llower stems, I1o\v<m- jukIs and 

 heads, grass seeds, burrs, wool, and spiders' cocoons, the whole 

 of which are matted together with cob\v<'li. The cui* nest is 

 not lined, but the lower nest is snugly lined with grass, fur 

 and feathers. It is noticeable that liiglily colored feadiers 

 seem to be preferr-ed as lining. 



These Tits often add a new nest to an old (»ne. hnl Iti I his 

 case no open nest is constructed, even should Hh' inevions c.ijt 

 nest be demolished by weather conditions and age. Ai Vallin- 

 gup. Western Austi-alia, members of the K. A. ().!'. (';iin|i(Mit 

 examined a wonderfnl rln'^t'^r of these nests; at least I'onr nests 

 had been added to the original. 



