18 Townsend, Habits of the English Sparrow. [fan 



probable that most of the roost consisted of males, but it was evi- 

 dent that a few unmated females yet remained at this late date. 



On August 29, 1908, I again watched the Sparrows enter their 

 sleeping quarters at King's Chapel burying-ground, and by count- 

 ing the birds as they entered for fifteen minutes at a time at intervals, 

 I was enabled to make a fairly accurate estimate of 3400 birds in 

 the roost. With the exception of a few stragglers they all came in 

 between 4.30 and 5.55 p. m. The sun set at 6.28. Judging from 

 the noise, the number of birds in the roost was considerably less 

 than in winter, so that my previous estimate was probably too low. 



On November 26, 1905, 1 watched the King's Chapel roost wake 

 up and depart about its day's business. All were asleep and quiet 

 until 6 o'clock when the first chirp was heard, while the stars were 

 still shining, and the first movement took place at 6.05, when 

 a sparrow flew from one branch to another. The sleeping ones had 

 their heads depressed in front, or the head turned around with the 

 bill concealed in the feathers of the back. A sudden general 

 chirping begins at 6.07 and a few buzz about from branch to branch. 

 The chirping swells into a continuous volume of sound, not the 

 chorus of the spring, but a confused conversational chirping noise 

 as if all were talking at once. Birds buzz about with rapid wing 

 vibrations, suggestive of hummingbirds. The first one flies off in 

 an unsteady way as if still half asleep at 6.12. The sound grows 

 louder, although the majority still appear to be asleep. Some are 

 stretching their wings and preening their feathers. The stars are 

 nearly gone. At 6.20 no. 2 flies off uncertainly. 6.25. Now 

 there is greater noise and activity. Many are flying about and a 

 dozen or more have left. All awake seem to enjoy spreading 

 their tails. A considerable proportion sleep on through the hub- 

 bub. There is very little fighting compared Avith the evening. 

 6.26. Now the birds are leaving constantly- 6.27. They are 

 leaving in bands of 15 or 20 at a time. 6.30 a. m. The stream 

 of outgoers, mostly down Tremont Street to the north, is now 

 continuous and too great to count. The remaining birds are noisy 

 in the extreme, flying about vigorously and filling up the empty 

 trees. 6.35 a. m. It is now broad daylight and the birds are 

 flying off like bees, but more or less in waves. A few still sleep 

 on undisturbed. The sun rose about 6.50 and by that time doubt- 

 less all or nearly all of the birds had gone. 



