248 BRITISH BIRDS. 



THE MOUNTAIN SPARROW. 



TREE SPARROW. 



(Fringilla Montana, Linn. Gros-bcc friquct Temm.) 



THIS bird is somewhat less than the common 

 Sparrow. Bill black; eyes hazel; the crown of the 

 head and hinder part of the neck chesnut brown ; 

 sides of the head white; throat and auriculars 

 black; on the upper plumage the middle of the 

 feathers are dusky, edged with rusty brown; the 

 breast and under parts dirty white; quills black, 

 with reddish edges, as are also the greater coverts ; 

 the lesser coverts black, edged with bay, and 

 crossed with two white bars; the tail is reddish 

 brown, and even at the end; legs pale yellow. 



This species is much more plentiful on the con- 

 tinent than in England, where it is seldom seen 

 further north than Yorkshire; it differs from the 

 House Sparrow in making its nest in the holes of 

 trees far from towns or villages. It feeds on fruits, 

 seeds, and insects. It is a lively, active bird, and, 

 when it alights, has a variety of motions, whirling 

 about and jerking its tail upwards and downwards, 

 like the Wagtail. 



