ROCK SPARROW. 
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each other. Brehm records having seen three of them 
enter the same hole. 
Its habits are entirely those of the Sparrow, and 
nothing can justify that reckless disregard of close 
affinities by which it has been separated from that 
genus. Though resembling most in its habits those of 
our House Sparrow, it differs from it altogether in 
one thing, — it is more distrustful of man, and is gen- 
erally a very shy bird, flying away upon the approach 
of danger, and keeping a good look-out against it. 
Its movements on the ground are like those of other 
Sparrows, but it is more active and brisker. In its 
flight it is compared by Brehm to the Crossbill. They 
are very sociable among each other, with the excep- 
tion of certain quarrels which take place like those of 
the House Sparrow, and their tone of voice is similar. 
Leisler records having seen large flocks of the Bock 
Sparrow in the Bhinegau, in 1803, where they were 
making a House Sparrow-like chattering among the 
trees. The manner of the bird is crafty, and it fre- 
quently moves its wings with a quick short movement. 
They are very sensitive to the cold of winter, and 
many are found dead during that 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 ap- 
proached it calls out like the other Sparrows. Brehm 
