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THE TREE SPARROW. 

 (Passer Montanus.) 



THE habits of this Sparrow vary from those of the 

 house species in that it dwells among fields and foot-hills 

 where wood and thicket alternate. It also frequents 

 gardens, and behaves very audaciously. In hollow 

 places in old trees it is sure to be met with. It is a bold 

 builder, and will place its nest with us in Hungary under 

 the Eagle's eyrie, or the Stork's nest. It may generally 

 be said to be a hole-nester, and a much greater insect 

 eater than its congener the House Sparrow. 



Its manner of nesting makes it all the more dangerous 

 to the artificial nest-holes, and we cannot guard them 

 against this species, either by decreasing the size of the 

 entrance or by placing the nest-holes lower ; it drags 

 the Tits out and takes possession of the hole; the only 

 thing that can be done is to drive it away with small 

 shot; otherwise we should harbour Tree Sparrows 

 instead of Tits, and, although they are not as numerous 

 as the House Sparrow the supply of them is more than 

 enough. 



The Tree Sparrow is also rarer with us in Great 

 Britain than its ubiquitous relative. It is quite local as 

 to habitat. Until quite recently it was unknown in 

 Ireland. Large numbers arrive, however, in autumn 

 along the east coast, and its settlements in Scotland are 

 chiefly on the eastern side, up as far as Sutherland. Its 

 nest with us will be found at times at some distance from 

 human dwellings; in the soft rotten wood of trees often, 

 but it builds also about farm-buildings, beneath roof- 



