SBITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 267 



ment that when under proper training the bird 

 can be taught to sing even better than the Canary. 

 Local and otlier names : none. Sits pretty closely. 



SPARROW, HEDGE. See Hedge Sparrow. 



SPARROW, HOUSE. See Sparrow, Common. 



SPARROW, REED. See Bunting, Eeed. 



SPARROW, TREE. 



Description of Parent Birds. — Length about five 

 and a half inches. Bill short, strong, broad at the 

 base, and lead coloured. Irides hazel. Crown and 

 nape dull chestnut-brown. Beneath the eye is a 

 streak of black. Cheeks white, with a large black 

 spot. The upper part of the back and scapulars 

 bright rusty brown, streaked with black ; lower 

 part of back and upper tail-coverts brownish-grey. 

 Lesser wing-coverts bright rusty brown ; greater 

 black, with rusty-coloured edges and white tips ; 

 quills dull black, bordered with rusty brown. Tail- 

 quills greyish-brown, edged with lemonish-brown. 

 Chin and throat black ; sides of neck, running 

 somewhat far back, white ; breast bright ash-grey ; 

 belly dull white, tinged with buffish-brown on the 

 sides, vent, and under tail-coverts. Legs, toes, and 

 claws pale yellowish-brown. 



The female is a little smaller, but her plumage 

 differs in nothing but its lesser brilliancy from that 

 of the male. In this respect the bird differs radically 

 from the House Sparrow, the female of which is not 



