THE TREE SPARROW 



P4SSER MONT4NUS 



LOCAL names in surrounding counties : 



STATUS IN BRITISH AVIFAUNA : A comparatively rare 

 and local resident, although widely and irregularly dis- 

 persed, its numbers increased in autumn by migrants, 

 which visit areas in winter where the species is seldom 

 or never known to breed. 



RADIAL DISTRIBUTION WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF ST. 

 PAUL'S : It is a rather remarkable fact that the Tree 

 Sparrow in England shows an antipathy to towns, whilst 

 on the Continent in many places it is quite as familiar in 

 them as the House Sparrow. I am unable to say whether 

 the Tree Sparrow ever visits the central parts of the 

 Metropolitan area ; I have never observed it in the urban 

 parks or in any of the open spaces, although I am always 

 on the watch for it. That it draws nearer to the city 

 limits during winter seems certain ; it has been recorded 

 from Tooting at that season, and I have met with it then 

 in the Wembley and Kingsbury districts. It breeds and 

 is a resident in the Epping area, but is excessively local. I 

 know of no breeding-places in Middlesex, but in Surrey 

 it certainly nests in the Richmond district, and has also 

 been found doing so at Wimbledon. The species is 

 probably confused a good deal with the House Sparrow, 

 and its distribution within the London limits requires 

 careful investigation. The available evidence all tends 

 to show that the bird is very local, and that it is most 

 frequently detected near London during winter. 



Due allowance being made for difference of haunt and 

 conditions of existence, the habits of the Tree Sparrow 

 closely resemble those of the preceding species. It may 

 readily be distinguished from its commoner ally by its 

 uniform chestnut head and black ear-coverts, and as the 

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