THE TREE-SPARROW gI 
The Tree-Sparrow is a more active sprightly bird than its commoner relative ; 
and, although it can hardly be said to. have a song,* its chirruping is somewhat 
more melodious, its chirp is sharper, and the indignant utterance of a recently 
captured bird is shriller. . 
Although the Tree-Sparrow does not breed so continuously as the House- 
Sparrow, which in mild seasons appears to rear family after family throughout the 
greater part of the year, there is no doubt that it frequently produces three broods 
in a season. When feeding its young it eats caterpillars, spiders, and various 
kinds of insects, as well as leaves and unripe seeds of weeds; but at other times 
it appears to confine its attentions principally to different kinds of seeds. 
On several occasions bird-catchers have offered me Tree-Sparrows at from 
twopence to threepence apiece; but the birds looked so vindictive and chirped so 
savagely that, considering their powerful beaks, I decided not to risk associating 
them with the other members of my feathered family. Although opinions differ 
greatly respecting the character of this species, I am satisfied that I adopted the 
safest course. Stevenson (Birds of Norfolk, Vol. I, p. 209) says :—‘“‘ In confinement 
the Tree-Sparrows are certainly the shyest and most untameable of any birds I 
have ever introduced into my aviary, and even time seems to work but little change 
in their wild nature, as on the approach of any person, whether a stranger or not, 
they dash about the cage in a reckless manner, and when exhausted and panting 
with fright, will creep into any corner or dark spot to escape notice.” 
Lord Lilford observes:—‘‘In captivity the Tree-Sparrow thrives well upon 
canary- and millet-seed, and becomes very tame.” + 
Swaysland, who has had considerable experience in keeping many of our 
British birds, remarks :—‘‘ When caught do not place immediately in an aviary, as 
they would then invariably sulk and behave wildly, frightening the other birds, 
but rather keep in a small cage until tame.” 
Howard Saunders (Manual, p. 174) says:—‘‘In captivity this species has bred 
with the House-Sparrow.” It would therefore appear that, if properly treated, this 
species does become steady enough to breed in confinement. 
I have been told, by Aviculturists who have kept the Tree-Sparrow, that it 
is not tyrannical in an aviary; it must, however, be borne in mind, that an indi- 
vidual does not necessarily exhibit the characteristics of a species; even half a 
dozen specimens may all be of a peaceful disposition (as was the case with my 
Robins, which never fought with any but their own species). On the other hand 
* The Rev. H. A. Macpherson assures me that the Tree-Sparrow as a very sweet song; a fact vouched 
for independently by Mr. J. Whitaker and the late Edward Blyth. 
t I should certainly add oats.—A.G.B. 
