PASSER JAGOENSIS. 243 



throat, the feathers of the upper parts dark brown margined 

 with Hght rufous, and a broad stripe of the latter colour over 

 the eye. With the beginning of February the adults had com- 

 menced to undergo their spring moult, their plumage being 

 anything but satisfactory in condition, and even by the end of 

 May there were many which had some of their tail-feathers 

 and primaries still in sheath. These Sparrows often fall 

 victims to the Kites, and as a better safeguard against surprise 

 they seek safety in numbers, coming together in immense 

 flocks, and never getting far away from some good thick 

 acacia trees wherein to take refuge, or from the vicinity of a 

 ravine strewn with boulders, into the crevices of which they 

 creep like mice. 



" In August these Sparrows breed in large companies, 

 many of the acacia trees on the plains being crammed with 

 their big untidy nest-structures of the previous season. On 

 the plains they feed on small locusts and grass-seed. 



" This Sparrow is not at all particular as to where it builds 

 its nest. Where trees are absent, hollows in the ground under- 

 neath boulders, or crevices in cliffs are chosen. The proper 

 breeding-season commences at the end of September. When 

 placed in a tree the nest is domed, but when in a hollow of the 

 ground it is an open compact structure, and often lined with 

 feathers. The eggs are four, rarely five, in number; in each 

 clutch they are of a fairly uniform colour, with the exception 

 of one, which is invariably lighter than the rest. In size, 

 markings and colouration they correspond with those of the 

 Tree-Sparrow {P. montanus). The adult plumage is not 

 attained till the second year." 



The egg is described by Mr. A. Nehrkorn as white with 

 rufous brown marks, and measuring 0'76 x 0'52. 



