89 



It is said to have formerly nested occasionally in fruit trees, and Reiser 

 mentions one instance of its breeding in a pine tree. The nest is much 

 like those of the other Sparrows, composed of straw, grass, etc., and lined 

 with feathers. 



4 to 7 in number, of the usual Sparrow type of markings, but varying Eggs, 

 considerably, some showing much of the whitish ground colour, and others 

 being handsomely marbled and spotted. Reiser figures an egg in which 

 the usual minute brown spots have run together into a large coffee coloured 

 blotch. The only constant difference between the eggs of this species and 

 those of other Sparrows in their decidedly stronger gloss. 



In Greece Krliper says that two broods are reared in the plains, but Breeding 

 only one in the mountains. First eggs are found from mid-April onwards, ^®*^°°- 

 but mostly towards the end of the month, and second broods in June; in 

 the mountains towards the end of May. 



Average size of 86 eggs from S. Spain and Greece (44 by Reiser, Measure- 

 24 by Rey and 18 by the writer) 21.85 X 15.67 mm.. Max. 23.5 X 16.5 °'^°*'- 

 and 21.7X16.9 mm., Min. 19.3X14.8 and 20.3X14.7 mm. Average 

 weight (44 eggs) 199 mg. (Reiser); 24 eggs 216 mg. (Rey). As will be 

 seen from the above they are generally rather smaller than those of 

 P. domesticus (L.). 



Geographical Races. 



a. Continental Rock Sparrow, P. petronia petronia (L.). See above, 

 b. Sardinian Rock Sparrow, P. petronia hellmayri Arrig. 



P. petrmiia hellmayri Arrig. Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 143. 



Breeding Range: Sardinia and Corsica. 



Barely distinguishable from the Continental form. In Sardinia it is 

 an abundant resident, but is scarce in Corsica, where a few pairs breed in 

 the mountains in May. 



c. Russian Rock Sparrow, P. petronia exigua (Hellm.). 



P. petronia exigims (Hellm.). Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 143. 



Breeding Range: The mouth of the Don and the Caucasus to 

 Erzerum. 



Sarudny says the eggs vary in size from 22.4X16.1 to 20X1 4. 5 mm. 



[In Madeira and the Canaries a small dark form is found commonly, 

 P. petronia madeirensis Erl., which nests under the eaves of buildings, and 

 lays small, light coloured eggs. Average size of 10 eggs, 21.24 X 15 mm. 

 In the Barbary states the resident form is P. petronia harbara Erl. 3 eggs 

 taken by Erlanger average 21 X 15.8 mm. In Palestine the large and 

 very distinct P. petronia puteicola Festa is found in summer, breeding in 

 old wells. 9 eggs average 21.33 X 15.9 mm. in size. Breeding season, 

 mid-April.] 



