70 BRITISH BIRDS. 



has several near allies, the nearest apparently being P. rutilans (which is 

 found in Japan, the island of Askold, South China, and Formosa), P. 

 flaveolus and P. assimilis (from the Burmese peninsula) , and P. cinnamomeus 

 (from the Himalayas) ; but from all these it may easily be distinguished by 

 the ear-coverts, which form a triangular black spot surrounded with 

 white. The Tree-Sparrow is said to have been introduced into North 

 America. 



A study of the habits of the Tree-Sparrow is very interesting, and tends 

 to prove that it is much more remotely related to the Common Sparrow 

 than is popularly supposed. The haunts of the Tree-Sparrow in our 

 islands are chiefly the fields and wilder districts away from houses. It is 

 never seen in the towns, but sometimes approaches the villages, where 

 it associates with the House- Sparrow. On the continent, however, the 

 bird has so far overcome its shyness and adapted itself to circumstances 

 as to frequent the towns, and is quite as pert and impudent as its con- 

 gener, which it otherwise resembles in its habits. The Tree-Sparrow in 

 this country frequents groves of old trees more or less remote from houses, 

 and the banks of sluggish streams that wind along through a lane of pollard 

 willows ; it also not unfrequently takes up its residence in the fir-planta- 

 tions near the moorlands, as, for instance, in the High Peak of Derbyshire, 

 where it nests in the rocks. Sometimes a pair of birds will frequent a 

 large and solitary tree in the open fields ; and it often takes up its quarters 

 in an old stone-quarry. 



In this country the Tree-Sparrow is a much shyer bird than the House- 

 Sparrow, otherwise the two species have much in common. It is a much 

 more lively bird. Long residence in towns and its close companionship 

 with man have probably caused the House-Sparrow to become more or less 

 sluggish ; but the Tree-Sparrow is a very active bird, its flight is more 

 rapid, and it seems to have more command over itself in the air. It is, of 

 course, very often observed on the ground, where it hops just like the 

 common species ; but when in the branches it is often seen to pass from 

 twig to twig with as much ease and rapidity as a Titmouse. It very often 

 keeps company with the House- Sparrow, especially in winter, and may 

 then be seen upon the dunghills and in the farmyards with that bird. It 

 may easily be recognized by its note, which is much more musical and 

 shriller. When observed it appears to become very wary and restless, and 

 often immediately flies off to the nearest cover. It is quite as pugnacious 

 as the House- Sparrow, and several of them will generally join in a scrim- 

 mage, which usually only results in plenty of noise and the loss of a few 

 feathers. The Tree-Sparrow can scarcely lay claim to possess a song ; but 

 in the early months of the year it utters a few notes, which are principally 

 modulations of its call-note ; but some of them are not unmusical. 



The Tree- Sparrow is rather a late breeder, its nest usually being com- 



