THE TREE SPARROW 229 



tilings and in cliffs by the sea. The eggs are more 

 glossy than the House Sparrow's; two and even three 

 broods will be reared in a season. The young are fed 

 on caterpillars and other insects, soft vegetable matter, 

 etc., but in winter both young and old frequent farm- 

 yards, and visit the ricks ; also they seek grain among 

 horse-droppings in the streets. The illustration shows 

 the difference in the markings of the two species of 

 Sparrow. 



This bird is smaller than the House Sparrow, and 

 more slender. The colouring is, on the whole, the same 

 in the male and female birds. From crown to tail it is 

 chestnut brown, passing into ash-grey, with dark 

 markings round the ears and on the throat. Both in 

 colour and demeanour it is a true Sparrow. It lays 

 five or six, occasionally seven, light-coloured speckled 

 eggs. 



