fKIXGILT.IN/'E. 



173 





THE TREE-SPARROW. 

 Passer montanus (Linnieus). 



The Tree-Sparrow is rarer and more local than the preceding 

 species, but it is undoubtedly extending its range, having recently 

 been found in the Hebrides, including St. Kilda, and in many other 

 places where a few years ago it was unknown. In the south-west of 

 England it is as yet uncommon, and although in Wales it breeds in 

 Brecon, it is not abundant there : while it is at most very local in 

 Lancashire and Cumberland. It is probably more abundant in 

 Cambridgeshire and some of the eastern and midland counties than 

 elsewhere ; but it is difficult to sketch its distribution with accuracy, 

 owing to the strong probability that, from its resemblance to the 

 House-Sparrow, it has often been overlooked. Large numbers 

 arrive from the Continent upon our east coast in autumn. In Scot- 

 land its settlements are mostly along the eastern side, from the 

 Border to Sutherland. Unknown in Ireland until 1852, it is now 

 a resident and increasing species near Dublin ; and its range is 

 evidently spreading, as Mr. H. M. Wallis found a pair in May 1SS6 

 on North Aran Island, off the Rosses, co Donegal. 



About 1S69 the Tree-Sjiarrow reached the Fneroes, where it has 

 multiplied exceedingly ; and in Norway, although still local, it has 

 now spread beyond the i\rctic circle. Throughout the rest of north- 

 ern and temperate Europe it is generally distributed ; in Hungary 

 and Slavonia it is more abundant than the House-Sparrow ; and, 

 although local, it may be said to be common in most parts of the 

 south, except in the islands of the Mediterranean. I have speci- 



