BIKDS OF EGYPT. 149 



cheeks pure white ; a white eyebrow ; remainder of the 

 plumage similar to that of P. domes fictis. 



Female. — Resembles that of P. domesticus. 



Entii'e length 5 '5 inches; culmen 0'5 ; wing, carpus to 

 tip, 3 ; tarsus 6. 



Fig. Gould, B. of Eur. pi. 185. 



117. Passer salicicola (Vieill.). Spanish Sjjarrow. 



Abundant during the winter in Egypt, rarely, however, 

 remaining late enough to breed. Dr. A. L. Adams (Ibis, 

 1864, p. 23) says that in November and December, during 

 the ripening of the dhurra, Spanish Sparrows assemble in 

 enormous numbers, and do great damage to the crops ; and 

 Mr. E. C. Taylor {op. cit. 1867, p. 65) says that this species 

 is more abundant even than P. domesticus. This can only 

 hold good in speaking of the winter months, as during three 

 tours in Egypt I never met with this species later than the 

 beginning of February. Von Heuglin (Orn. N. O. Afr. 

 p. 632) declares that it breeds in Egypt in March, and in 

 Nubia in August and September — a statement which I am 

 inclined to doubt, 



Male. — Top of the head and nape chestnut, the feathers 

 shghtly edged with pale brown ; remainder of the upper 

 plumage similar to that of the Common Sparrow, but rather 

 darker on the back ; cheeks, ear-coverts, and sides of the 

 throat white ; feathers in front of and under the eye, throat, 

 and crop black, those on the latter part edged with white ; 

 abdomen white ; the centre of the feathers on the flanks 

 black ; beak brown, paler towards the base of the lower 

 mandible ; legs pale brown ; irides brown. 



