HOUSE SPARROW TEEE SPARROW. 41 



HOUSE SPAKEOW (Passer dome sticus). 



Resident, and common everywhere. 



Plumage. Crown, nape, and lower part of back slate-grey. 

 Lores black. Back and chest nut-brown streaked with black. 

 Wings brown with white bar on middle coverts. Tail blackish 

 brown. Throat and breast black. Cheeks and sides of 

 neck white ; under parts dingy white. Bill bluish black. 

 Legs pale brown. Length 6 in. Female, duller ; no black on 

 throat and breast ; 'white bar on wings less distinct ; under 

 parts browner. Young, like female but paler. 



Language. A variety of notes, none of which are really 

 musical. Usually a chirping kind of " chissic," and others 

 like "chow, chow, chivi, chivi, chow-chivi." 



Habits. Gregarious even at nesting-time, and usually seen 

 in foraging parties of half-a-dozen or more. In towns it per- 

 forms the useful office of a scavenger, but in the country it is 

 apt to become a pest in the farmer's estimation. It hops on the 

 ground. In the love season the male has a curious habit of 

 puffing out his feathers and drooping his wings, all the while 

 pirouetting round chirping gaily, apparently for the delectation 

 of the female. It will fight very desperately with others of its 

 kind at this season. It often takes possession of Martin's nests 

 and drives them away. 



Food. Practically omnivorous. In the garden it is a 

 nuisance, and is fond of tearing various flowers to pieces. If 

 not kept under it becomes a pest, devouring large quantities of 

 grain and seeds. 



Nest. April onwards. Several broods. 



Site. Various, usually in the thatch of some farm-building, 

 amongst ivy, in trees, in and under eaves-gutters, &c. 



Materials. Nothing comes amiss. Generally dry grass, 

 and other rubbishing materials, like rags, string, &c., lined 

 with feathers. Nest domed, or more correctly bag-shaped, with 

 entrance near the top ; always untidy. 



Eggs. Four to six. Bluish white, speckled and spotted with 

 grey and dark brown. Very variable. 



TREE SPARROW (Passer montanus). 



Resident. Most abundant in the eastern and midland 

 counties, and in the east of Scotland and Ireland, but distinctly 

 local. Being shyer than the last, it is seldom met with near 

 houses, preferring the open country, 



Plumage. Closely resembling the last, but differing in its 

 slightly smaller size, chestnut-brown head, white collar almost 

 surrounding the neck, and the two (instead of one) white 



