264 OUIl NATIVE SONGSTERS. * 



which is peculiarly musical and sweet, and may be 

 rendered " pee-eu-weep." Its proper song consists 

 of a number of these chirps, intermixed with some 

 pleasing notes, delivered in a continuous unbroken 

 strain, sometimes for many minutes together; very 

 loudly, and having a characteristic sparrow-like 

 tone throughout. 



The tree sparrow is a much handsomer bird 

 than our familiar species, to which however it has 

 a general resemblance. Sometimes its feathers 

 are puffed out, so as to render it particularly like 

 its congeners ; but at other times, and especially 

 when the bird is alarmed, its figure is seen to be 

 much more slender, as its plumage then lies closer. 

 It is very different from the common sparrow in 

 its habits, beiDg^ wild shy bird, avoiding the pre- 

 sence of man arid his habitations, and dwelling in 

 the country by the borders of woods, and among 

 the willows of the brook. It is sometimes found 

 in the thicker recesses of our woodlands ; but so 

 far from deseiwing the name of mountain spaiTow, 

 it apparently prefers low lands, and is more abun- 

 dant in the flats of Lincolnshire than in any other 

 part of Britain. Its English name of tree spaiTow 

 is more indicative of its haunts. 



