OF THE BIRDS MENTIONED 129 
6. HOUSE-SPARROW., 
(Pages 99-104) 
Passer domesticus (one of the Controstres. See Black- 
headed Bunting). (Sfarrow is from similar Saxon, 
Danish, Gothic, Icelandish, etc., names for the bird, com: 
mencing with spar, spur, spor, or spear.) Distinguish it 
from the tree-sparrow, which has a white neck with a 
triangular black spot on each cheek, is found mostly 
away from houses, builds generally in a hole in a tree, 
wags its tail frequently, and lays dull white eggs, 
speckled all over with light greenish-brown. The House 
Sparrow lays pale grey eggs, streaked and spotted 
blackish. It is not migratory. Length: 5 to 6 inches. 
Note : achirrup. When combating itsrivals at nesting 
time the chirrups are very frequent and noisy. (Com- 
pare the word spar, a boxing term.) The chirrup to the 
hen on first waking at dawn is modified to a soft musical 
note. Food: Almost anything eatable. Plumage: Its 
black and brown colours are more pronounced in the 
male, which also has a black throat. Nest: In March, 
as soon as the weather permits. Sztwation: Either 
large and loose when built in houses, and globular with 
a hole for entrance at one side if ina tree. Made of all 
sorts of materials that are easiest found and most 
attractive, but hay and straw are the foundation. Lined 
with feathers or any soft material. Second nests: Three 
B.N. K 
