BOCK SrABBOW. 45 



moinitainous places, and it may be seen not rarely in the meadows 

 and upon tlie wooded rocks. At the approach of winter it leaves the 

 western part of Italy, and collects in the south. In the autumn 

 many arrive in the north. They build in the holes of trees. The 

 nest resembles that of the House Sparrow's. The eggs, in number 

 from five to six, are whitish, yellowish, or even rosy colour, covered 

 with brown spots, which are sometimes collected in a corona at the 

 obtuse end." 



Doderlein says of this bird that it is rather abundant in the moun- 

 tains of Modena, especially during the time of passage. It generally 

 lives near houses, and nests in the holes of trees. In the autumn the 

 young and those which descend from the Alps emigrate to the south. 

 Harely an individual or so remain in the mountains during the winter, 

 but come down into the plains when the snows are very heavy. 



According to Naumann, to whose invaluable work I am indebted 

 for most of the following information, it is a stationary bird in mild 

 climates and a migratory one in cold countries. They associate in 

 small flocks rather than greater multitudes, which are at all events 

 never seen in Germany. In the Rhinegau, especially near Wiesbaden, 

 they are observed in autumn on fruit trees by the sides of the roads, 

 and in corn-fields, in flocks. Brclim mentions flocks of about ten. 

 They choose mountainous places for their residence, where, among 

 rocks and ruins they love to dwell. In winter they mix with other 

 birds, and are seen about the roads and villages, but it does not 

 appear that they visit farm-yards. In autumn they are found in stubble- 

 fields. They appear to avoid level land. At night they sleep in holes 

 of walls and ruins, always choosing a hole with a very narrow entrance, 

 and shew their sociable qualities by selecting places near each other. 

 Brehm records having seen three of them enter the same hole. 



Its habits are entirely those of the Sparrow, and nothing can justify 

 that reckless disregard of close afiinities by which it has been sepa- 

 rated from that genus. Though resembling most in its habits those 

 of our House Sparrow, it differs from it altogether in one thing, — it 

 is more distrustful of man, and is generally a very shy bird, flying 

 away upon the apj^roach of danger, and keeping a good look-out 

 against it. Its movements on the ground are like those of other 

 Sparrows, but it is laiore active and brisker. In its flight it is com- 

 pared by Brehm to the Crossbill. They are very sociable among 

 each other, with the exception of certain quarrels which take place 

 like those of the House Sparrow, and their tone of voice is similar. 



Leisler records having seen large flocks of the Bock Sparrow in the 

 Bhinegau, in 1803, where they were making a House Sparrow-like 



