FOREIGN SPECIES 

 III. JAVA SPARROW 



Munia oryzivora 



On October 19, 1904, a bird of unusual 

 coloration was seen picking on the ground of 

 the Common among a large flock of house 

 sparrows, which proved upon investigation 

 to be a Java Sparrow, or Java Finch. It was 

 again seen with the flock on the following 

 day and also on the next day. Wherever 

 the English sparrows moved this bird went 

 with them. It was viewed upon these three 

 days of its presence on the slope of Monu- 

 ment Hill, on the level of the parade-ground, 

 and on the lawn around the band-stand. 

 It showed as little fear as the house spar- 

 rows, like them simply flying to a near tree 

 when a too close approach was made by 

 passers-by. Its call, given wjien taking 

 short flights, bore a resemblance to the 

 call of the purple finch. Otherwise it was 

 silent. The strongly contrasting colors of 



