150 BIRD-LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



of this variation is largely due to age, the fully 

 adult characteristics not being all assumed until 

 the bird is several years old. This especially 

 applies to the grey crown and the deep black 

 bill. Individual Sparrows with white feathers in 

 the wings or tail are by no means rare. Several 

 years ago we shot a beautiful variety in our back 

 garden, where it was fraternising with a flock of 

 normally -coloured birds. This example was a 

 nearly uniform rich fawn colour, and is now, or 

 was, in the Torquay Museum. We have also 

 remarked considerable variation in the colour 

 of female birds, some being much darker than 

 others. Sparrows breed long before the fully 

 adult plumage is assumed. 



