BSD NG MiG: 2 RT, 
more obfcure: behind the eye a white ftreak: no black on the 
throat: the under parts dingy white, or pale afh-colour. 
This bird is well known, being everywhere common about our 
houfes, where it builds in every place it can find admit- 
tance ; under the roof, corner of the brick-work, or hole in the 
wall*. Makes a flovenly neft: generally a little hay, ill put to- 
gether, and lined well with feathers. The eggs are five or fix in 
number, of a reddifh white colour, fpotted with brown. Will 
fometimes build in the neighbouring trees; but in this cafe take 
more pains with the neft; and will not unfrequently drive the 
Martins from theirs, to fave the trouble of conftructing one of 
their own. Has in general three broods in a year. 
This fpecies, from frequenting only habitations, and parts ad- 
jacent }, may be faid to be chiefly fed from human induftry ; for, 
in fpite of every precaution, it will partake with the Pigeons, 
Poultry, &c. in the food thrown out to them ; grain of all kinds 
being the food beft adapted to its tafte {; not but it will eat 
worms, and refufe from the kitchen of moft kinds. It is a fami- 
liar but crafty bird, and will not fo eafily come into a fnare as 
many others. In autumn often collect into flocks, and rooft in 
* Many people have {mall pots faftened againft their houfes, for thefe birds to 
build in. ; 
+ Itis found among the rocks beyond Lage Baikal, and in the fouthern 
mountains ; but it is faid, that in the greateft part of Sibiria there were none, 
before the Ruffans began to cultivate there.—Mr. Pennant. 
Tt is an extreme fcarce bird in fome of the vales about the Ke/wicd mountains, 
where there is little grain, and few inhabitants.—Dr. Hey/ham. 
} It has been calculated, that a Sparrow will confume twenty pounds of wheat 
in a year. 
Vot. Il, Kk numbers 
249 
PLace anp 
Manners. 
