184 RURAL BIRD LIFE. 



the House Sparrow, its materials consisting of dry grasses 

 and a few feathers. The eggs are five and sometimes 

 six in number, slightly smaller than the House Sparrow's, 

 and dull white in ground colour, with rich brown blotches 

 and spots. When the young are hatched both the old 

 birds are very noisy, and will rarely indeed allow you to 

 approach them closely. I am of opinion that but one 

 brood is reared in the year. The Tree Sparrow appears 

 to be much more insectivorous in its food than the House 

 Sparrow, although both species may be seen in company 

 on the corn lands in autumn. 



As the Tree Sparrow so closely resembles the domes- 

 tic species, I have small doubt but what they are confused 

 together and all viewed as House Sparrows. Yet in the 

 wilder districts the Tree Sparrow probably abounds, and 

 may easily be detected from the commoner species by the 

 two white patches on the sides of the neck, its small 

 size, and its more trim and active appearance, and the 

 singular wariness of its disposition. 



