PASSERINE BIRDS. 1 37 



a spot upon the cheeks black, the remainder of the head being white. The lower part of the body is 

 light grey, the beak black, the feet a reddish horn colour. The sexes closely resemble each other, and 

 the young are scarcely distinguishable from the parent birds. 



This species inhabits more particularly the eastern side of our hemisphere, extending even as far 

 north as the Polar Regions ; it is met with in Asia, and is very numerous in Japan. Meadows, woods, 

 and pastures, are its favourite resorts, and it is only in winter that it seeks the abodes of man, in the 

 hope of obtaining food ; when in the woods, it lives in very large parties except during the breeding 

 season. In disposition the Field Sparrow closely resembles its congeners, but is somewhat duller, 

 owing to the little intercourse it has with our race. Its bearing is superior to that of the House 

 Sparrow, as the little creature is courageous, animated, and very trim in its appearance ; its flight is 

 light, and its pace easy and rapid ; the call-note is short, but is similar to that of the rest of its family. 

 From autumn to spring, seeds and berries constitute its principal food ; in summer it feeds upon 

 caterpillars, aphides, and other insects, rendering good service to mankind by clearing the trees and 

 shrubs of these visitants, and thus atoning for the damage it frequently does to fields of wheat and 

 millet. The nestlings are fed upon insects and milky grains of corn. The breeding season lasts 

 from April to August, and each pair rears two families during the year, building their nests in holes 

 of trees, or occasionally in convenient nooks in houses or out-buildings ; in structure they are like 

 those of other Sparrows. The brood consists of from five to seven eggs, resembling those of their 

 congeners, but somewhat smaller; the parents sit alternately, the period of incubation lasting about 

 thirteen or fourteen days. The Field Sparrow frequently pairs with other species ; when this occurs 

 the male is a Field and the female a House Sparrow ; and the young, in such cases, are also capable 

 of laying fertile eggs. These birds are easily caught by means of bird-lime and other simple traps, 

 and may be reared upon all kinds of seeds, varied with a little green food. 



THE PLAIN SPARROW. 



The Plain Sparrow (Pyrgitopsis simplex) is a remarkable species, inhabiting the wooded country 

 of Eastern Soudan, where it is frequently to be seen near the huts of the natives. In size it is larger 

 than most of its congeners, its length being about six and a half inches, and the span of the wings ten 

 and a half inches. The body is slender, and the beak much elongated ; the plumage, as its name 

 indicates, is of very uniform colour ; the head and neck mouse-grey, the back and wing-covers rusty 

 brown, the wing and tail quills dark brown, edged with a faint rust-red ; the lower part of the body 

 is of a light reddish grey, the throat somewhat lighter, and the belly whitish, the eye light reddish 

 brown, the beak black, and the feet reddish horn colour. 



This species is found over the whole of Central and Southern Africa, where it lives in pairs or 

 small parties, being rarely seen in large flocks ; its habits resemble those of our Field Sparrow, but, 

 unlike that bird, it often frequents the depths of forests. The nest is built in holes of trees, or in the 

 straw roofing of the native huts. Its voice is similar to that of other Sparrows, and the breeding 

 season commences early in spring. We are unacquainted with the appearance of the eggs. 



THE GOLDEN SPARROW. 

 The Golden Sparrow (Chrysospiza luted), also a native of Africa, is one of the most beautiful 

 members of this family. The head, neck, and entire under part of the body are of a golden yellow, 

 the mantle reddish brown, the small upper wing-covers black, the wing and tail quills dark grey, 

 edged with reddish browii. The female is very like that of the Common Sparrow, her tints, however 

 being more golden, and her throat yellow. The young male is like its mother, but brighter. In size 

 the Golden Sparrow resembles the Common species. 

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