155 



SOME 

 FURTHER NOTES ON THE TREE SPARROW. 



V. B. WHITLOCK, 



A tienborough. 



I AM well rewarded for my notes on the Tree Sparrow {Passer 

 tnontanus) by their having drawn from the Rev. H. A. Macpherson 

 his further contril)Ution to the life-history of this species. 



My observations as to the social habits of this species tend 

 rather to prove exclusiveness than fraternity with its near ally 

 or with the Greenfinch. This latter bird is very common with us at 

 all times, but I usually find it in company with the Chaffinch or 

 House Sparrow. Several facts incline me to the belief that our 

 local Tree Si)arrows are migratory. In the first place, I can find no 

 traces of them in the winter either round farm-houses or in the 

 country-lanes. In the winter of 1888 I wanted one or two for 

 skinning, and though I shot at any Sparrow that looked at all likely, 

 I only picked up House Sparrows. Up to this date I have not 

 detected it in the flocks of Sparrows that frequent the September 

 stubble-fields, though it should turn up there if anywhere. Since 

 writing my first notes I have seen three Tree Sparrows amongst 

 some dozens of House Sparrows killed about six miles below 

 Nottingham in the Trent valley. In the second place, I find it 

 varies greatly in numbers from year to year during the breeding- 

 season. 



My boyhood was spent on the borders of Nottinghamshire, where 

 the pollard willow abounds. I used to find a nest or two most years, 

 but never found it breeding commonly. I have been in close cor- 

 respondence with an ornithological friend in the neighbourhood ever 

 since leaving home, and his experience tallies with mine. Last year, 

 however, he writes, ' I have found no nests so common as those of 

 the Garden Warbler and Tree Sparrow.' I do not think mild winters 

 would account for such a large increase in the numbers of this species. 



I am sorry to say that I have not heard the song of the Tree 

 Sparrow. Observing it principally at its nesting-colony, I am afraid 

 I am treated rather to abuse than song. Whenever I have wanted 

 any eggs my plan has been to row gently down the canal in my boat, 

 and quietly as I go, the Tree Si)arrows are off before 1 can exactly 

 note the site of the nest. They usually fly to some thick hawthorns, 

 where they keep up an angry chatter, which was well described one 

 day by a passing politician as ' Parliament had met.' 



It is quite characteristic of the species to make a dash for liberty 

 as Mr. Macpherson describes. As to their laming themselves, the 



May 1890. 



