70 _ BRITISH BIRDS. 
has several near allies, the nearest apparently being P. rutilans (which is 
found in Japan, the island of Askold, South China, and Formosa), P. 
flaveolus and P. assimilis (from the Burmese peninsula) , and P. cinnamomeus 
(from the Himalayas) ; but from all these it may easily be distinguished by 
the ear-coverts, which form a triangular black spot surrounded with 
white. The Tree-Sparrow is said to have been introduced into North 
America. 
A study of the habits of the Tree-Sparrow is very interesting, and tends 
to prove that it is much more remotely related to the Common Sparrow 
than is popularly supposed. The haunts of the Tree-Sparrow in our 
islands are chiefly the fields and wilder districts away from houses. It is 
never seen in the towns, but sometimes approaches the villages, where 
it associates with the House-Sparrow. On the continent, however, the 
bird has so far overcome its shyness and adapted itself to circumstances 
as to frequent the towns, and is quite as pert and impudent as its con- 
gener, which it otherwise resembles in its habits. The Tree-Sparrow in 
this country frequents groves of old trees more or less remote from houses, 
and the banks of sluggish streams that wind along through a lane of pollard 
willows; it also not unfrequently takes up its residence in the fir-planta- 
tions near the moorlands, as, for instance, in the High Peak of Derbyshire, 
where it nests in the rocks. Sometimes a pair of birds will frequent a 
large and solitary tree in the open fields; and it often takes up its quarters 
im an old stone-quarry. 
In this country the Tree-Sparrow is a much shyer bird than the House- 
Sparrow, otherwise the two species have much in common. It is a much 
more lively bird. Long residence in towns and its close companionship 
with man have probably caused the House-Sparrow to become more or less 
sluggish ; but the Tree-Sparrow is a very active bird, its flight 1s more 
rapid, and it seems to have more command over itself in the air. It is, of 
course, very often observed on the ground, where it hops just like the 
common species; but when in the branches it is often seen to pass from 
twig to twig with as much ease and rapidity as a Titmouse. It very often 
keeps company with the House-Sparrow, especially in winter, and may 
then be seen upon the dunghills and in the farmyards with that bird. It 
may easily be recognized by its note, which is much more musical and 
shriller. When observed it appears to become very wary and restless, and 
often immediately flies off to the nearest cover. It is quite as pugnacious 
as the House-Sparrow, and several of them will generally join in a scrim- 
mage, which usually only results in plenty of noise and the loss of a few 
feathers. The Tree-Sparrow can scarcely lay claim to possess a song; but 
in the early months of the year it utters a few notes, which are principally 
modulations of its call-note; but some of them are not unmusical. 
The Tree-Sparrow is rather a late breeder, its nest usually being com- 
