10 SPARROW. 



forcible possession is sometimes taken of the nest of 

 the latter bird. It would appear that trees are built 

 in more from necessity than choice, namely, by yearling 

 birds which commence nidification late, by which time 

 convenient places in walls have been pre-occupied; or 

 by individuals which from some cause or other, had 

 been obliged to give up the latter localities. Fewer 

 broods in the year are produced therefore in the case 

 of nests in trees, both from their being commenced 

 later in the season, and from their requiring naturally 

 more time in their construction; they are accordingly 

 better made and larger. Mr. Meyer describes one 

 which was handsomely built of moss, grass, and lichens, 

 and neatly lined with hair. The entrance in these 

 cases is by the side, and the interior is profusely lined 

 with feathers. 



The first set of eggs generally consists of four, 

 five, or six. They are dull light grey, or greyish 

 white, much spotted and streaked all over with ash- 

 colour and dusky brown, varying considerably in 

 appearance, though preserving for the most part a 

 general resemblance. They also differ very frequently 

 and very much in size and shape. 



One is figured by Professor Thieneman, of a 

 light green colour, mottled with dark green, with which 

 the base is covered. 



A second is very pale grey faintly striated all 

 over with small dots of a shade darker. 



A third is nearly white, with a few small grey 

 and brown dots. 



A fourth is brown, finely marked all over with 

 deep rich brown. 



The lower egg on the plate is from one forwarded 

 by G. Grantham, Esq., of East Shalford, Guildford. 



