Genus PETRONIA. 
Passer apud Brisson, Orn. iii. p. 87 (1760). 
Fringilla apud Linneus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 322 (1766). 
Coccothraustes apud Cuvier, Regne Anim. i. p. 413 (1829). 
Petronia, Kaup, Natiirl. Syst. p. 158 (1829). 
Pyrgita apud Brehm, Vog. Deutschl. p. 263 (1831). 
Carpospiza apud Von Miller, J. f. O. 1854, p. 445. 
Euplectes apud Heuglin, Syst. Uebers. p. 39 (1856). 
In the genus Petronia are grouped several species of Sparrows which in general coloration, and 
to a large extent in habits, differ so far from Passer domesticus and its congeners to warrant 
their being placed in a separate genus. These birds inhabit the Palearctic, Ethiopian, and 
northern portions of the Oriental Regions, two species only being found in the Western 
Palearctic Region. 
In habits the Rock-Sparrows differ from the true Sparrows in affecting rocky places, and 
being, as a rule, less frequently seen on cultivated ground. They feed on seeds, insects, and 
fruits, are swift on the wing, and active and sprightly in their movements. ‘Their call-note is 
harsh; and their song, if song it can be called, is poor, and wanting in melody. They build a 
bulky and carelessly constructed nest like that of the common Sparrow, which they place in 
holes in rocks, walls, and trees, and deposit eggs which closely resemble those of the true 
Sparrows ; but one species (Petronia brachydactyla) differs in building a compact nest and laying 
white eggs spotted with black. 
Petronia stulta, the type of the genus, has the bill conical, stout, straight, rather short, 
about as broad as high at the base, compressed towards the tip, which is acute; nostrils small, 
basal, concealed by recurved feathers; wings long, pointed, the first quill longest; tail short, 
nearly even; legs and feet moderately strong, the tarsus covered in front with four large and 
three inferior scutelle, claws rather short, slightly curved, laterally grooved, acute; plumage 
much duller in colour than in Passer, and the black on the throat of the male of Passer is 
entirely wanting in this genus. 
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