46 BOOK SPARBOW. 



chattering among the trees. The manner of the bird is crafty, and 

 it frequently moves its wings with a quick short movement. They 

 are very sensitive to the cold of winter, and many are found dead 

 during the season in the holes of trees. 



The usual note is a homely croak, similar to the call of the Mountain 

 Finch. Brehm says it may be represented by '^qjiwit,' and that it is 

 similar to that of the Goldfinch, and very different from that of the 

 Linnets and Siskin. One note serves as a warning cry, another invites 

 to settle, and a third is the signal for flight. A young bird begins to 

 pipe early, and has a note like that of the Canary bird, in addition 

 to the 'qjiwit.' When it fears danger or its nest is approached it 

 calls out like the other Sparrows. Brehm compares the song to that 

 of the Reed Bunting, which is not saying much for it, but it is not 

 without melody. 



In confinement the Rock Sparrow is very tame and sociable with 

 its kindred. Brehm brought up a young bird which was very con- 

 fiding in its manner to him. It would feed out of his hand, and let 

 him know by a cry or a look when it wanted food. It sung before 

 it was full-grown, and was heard constantly in October, being loudest 

 when the other birds were singing. Leisler informs us that he brought 

 up a young bird, which was very docile and an excellent mimic, 

 having, among other qualifications of this kind, learned to imitate, 

 much to his master's annoyance, the cry of his Marmot. This bird, 

 however, did not seem inclined to sing when people were in the 

 room, but it was nevertheless very tame, comical in its habits, and 

 mischievous. 



The Rock Sparrow feeds on seeds of various kinds, insects and 

 their larvae, especially beetles, grasshoppers, and Naumann adds, I 

 am sorry to say, cherries. Large grains of sand are often found 

 mixed with the food in the stomach. It frequents ploughed fields, 

 meadows, and roads, after corn-seeds, especially oats, which it seems 

 to like best of the cereals. It is also a berry feeder. It lives in 

 early summer on insects; and feeds its young, like the rest of its 

 family, upon caterpillars and other larvae, together with beetles, 

 grasshoppers, and moths, all of which it removes from the cultivated 

 lands, very much to the benefit of the farmer, who rewards its 

 relations for the same service in this country with a dose of poison. 

 ISTaumann, however, expatiates upon the fondness of the Rock Sparrow 

 for cherries, in search of which it will lead its young into orchards, 

 giving them the fleshy part, and then cracking the stone for the 

 kernel with its strong beak. When it catches large insects it bites 

 off the head, wings, and legs, and eats the body in small pieces. 



