THE TREE-SPARROW 91 



The Tree-Sparrow is a more active sprightly bird than its commoner relative ; 

 and, although it can hardly be said to have a song,* its chirruping is somewhat 

 more melodious, its chirp is sharper, and the indignant utterance of a recently 

 captured bird is shriller. 



Although the Tree- Sparrow does not breed so continuously as the House- 

 Sparrow, which in mild seasons appears to rear family after family throughout the 

 greater part of the year, there is no doubt that it frequently produces three broods 

 in a season. When feeding its young it eats caterpillars, spiders, and various 

 kinds of insects, as well as leaves and unripe seeds of weeds ; but at other times 

 it appears to confine its attentions principally to different kinds of seeds. 



On several occasions bird-catchers have offered me Tree-Sparrows at from 

 twopence to threepence apiece ; but the birds looked so vindictive and chirped so 

 savagely that, considering their powerful beaks, I decided not to risk associating 

 them with the other members of my feathered family. Although opinions differ 

 greatly respecting the character of this species, I am satisfied that I adopted the 

 safest course. Stevenson (Birds of Norfolk, Vol. I, p. 209) says : " In confinement 

 the Tree- Sparrows are certainly the shyest and most untameable of any birds I 

 have ever introduced into my aviary, and even time seems to work but little change 

 in their wild nature, as on the approach of any person, whether a stranger or not, 

 they dash about the cage in a reckless manner, and when exhausted and panting 

 with fright, will creep into any corner or dark spot to escape notice." 



Lord Lilford observes : " In captivity the Tree-Sparrow thrives well upon 

 canary- and millet-seed, and becomes very tame." t 



Swaysland, who has had considerable experience in keeping many of our 

 British birds, remarks : " When caught do not place immediately in an aviary, as 

 they would then invariably sulk and behave wildly, frightening the other birds, 

 but rather keep in a small cage until tame." 



Howard Saunders (Manual, p. 174) says: "In captivity this species has bred 

 with the House-Sparrow." It would therefore appear that, if properly treated, this 

 species does become steady enough to breed in confinement. 



I have been told, by Aviculturists who have kept the Tree- Sparrow, that it 

 is not tyrannical in an aviary ; it must, however, be borne in mind, that an indi- 

 vidual does not necessarily exhibit the characteristics of a species ; even half a 

 dozen specimens may all be of a peaceful disposition (as was the case with my 

 Robins, which never fought with any but their own species). On the other hand 



The Rev. H. A. Macpherson assures me that the Tree-Sparrow has a very sweet song; a fact vouched 

 for independently by Mr. J. Whitaker and the late Edward Blyth. 



t I should certainly add oats. A.G.B. 



