208 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



catchers occasionally take this species in their nets during the winter 

 months. Loche says the Tree-Sparrow occurs in Algeria, but is 

 rather rare there. From Marocco I have no note of its occurrence. 

 According to von Heugliu (Orn, N. 0. Afr. p. 633) the species visits 

 Egypt, probably on migration in winter. 



In its habits the Tree-Sparrow bears a certain resemblance to 

 the common Sparrow, but differs from it in being more of a tree- 

 frequenting species, and in Europe, at least, is not often to be found 

 in the immediate neighbourhood of buildings, unless trees are also 

 present. In some Asiatic countries, however, this species is said to 

 take the place of the common House-Sparrow, often frequenting 

 human habitations, and nesting in holes in the walls and under the 

 eaves. In Europe, holes in trees are generally selected as nesting sites, 

 particularly those in pollard-elms and willows. 



The food of the Tree-Sparrow consists chiefly of seeds of various 

 kinds, and corn when to be obtained, but its young are said to be 

 fed principally upon grubs and insects. 



The call note of this species is a chirp, resembling that of the 

 House-Sparrow, but rather softer, and the male is said to have a 

 regular and pleasing, though somewhat short, song. The bird may 

 not unfrequentiy be seen in a cage in Continental towns, and is said 

 to breed, in captivity, with the House-Sparrow. 



PASSER SIMPLEX (Lichtenstein). 

 DESERT-SPARROW. 



Fringilla simplex, Licht. Verz. Doubl. p. 24 (1823). 



Passer simplex, Ilartm. J. f. 0. 1863, p. 313 ; Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. 



Miis. xii, p. 339 ; Erlanger, Orn. Monatsb. 1897, p. 188. 

 CoFOspiza simplex, Bonap. Consp. i, p. 511 (1850) ; Loche, Expl. Sci. 



Alcj. Ois. i, p. 138 (1867). 

 Passer simplex saharae, Erlanger, J. f. 0. 1899, p. 472. 



Description. — Adult male, spring, from El-Hamman, Tripoli. 



Upper parts pale silvery-grey, darker on the crown, and more sandy on 

 the back and scapulars ; rump and upper tail-coverts creamy- white ; tail- 

 feathers blackisli-brovvn, fringed, particularly on the outer webs, with cream 

 colour; primaries brown, becoming blackish towards the tips, and fringed on 



