42 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



When severe weather prevails for any length of time it 

 becomes bolder, and may then be seen approaching close 

 to inhabited places in search of food ; but as soon as the 

 frost and snow is gone it leaves for the open country again. 



The food of the Tree Sparrow principally consists of 

 any kind of seeds or grain, also insects, and the tender 

 parts of vegetables. Its movements when on the ground 

 resemble those of the Common Sparrow, being quick, 

 active, and lively, and when it settles it has a very 

 noticeable habit of moving the tail similar to the Wagtail ; 

 the flight is laboured, heavy, and rather rapid. In the 

 colder portions of the year these birds congregate in flocks, 

 and usually keep close together, and hop quickly about on 

 the ground in search of food. 



The Tree Sparrow builds early in the year, and com- 

 monly selects for the purpose a hole in a tree; but some- 

 times, it is said, nests in the thatch of a barn or isolated 

 outhouse, in wood faggots, old walls, and even the old 

 nests of magpies and crows. The nest is composed of 

 hay and twigs, lined with wool, down, and feathers: it 

 is loosely and untidily put together, and is often used by 

 the same birds for several seasons in succession. Sometimes 

 the nest is domed over, but in the majority of cases the 

 nest is cup-shaped. The eggs vary in number from four 

 to six, and differ very much in colour and markings ; 

 usually they are of a dull white colour, speckled all over 

 with different shades of light greyish-brown, or 

 brownish-grey. Two or three broods are generally pro- 

 duced in the year. The old birds are very anxious over 

 their offspring, and if their nest is approached will hop 

 restlessly from branch to branch, uttering their shrill 

 chirping alarm-note. 



