78 FRINGILLID.E. 



I only found one that contained any corn, namely, two or three 

 barley-corns ; those of the others contained upwards of fifty 

 seeds of weeds growing in the neighbouring fields. 



The Tree Sparrow is a lively and pleasing bird when caged, 

 and its handsome plumage, and clean, well-dressed feathers 

 render it not unworthy of a place in an aviary : it is besides a 

 peaceable and well-disposed companion. Little difference is 

 to be observed in the colours of its plumage at different 

 seasons, except an additional brilliancy in spring, owing to the 

 usual causes ; its moult taking place but once a year. In au- 

 tumn and winter the beak is black at the tip only, and yellow 

 at the base, but in spring the whole of the beak is black and 

 polished, having the appearance of ebony. 



The nest of this species, as before observed, is usually 

 placed in a hole of an aged tree, where a cavity has been 

 formed by natural decay or by the instrumentality of other 

 birds ; into this retreat are carried by the builders various 

 materials, such as grasses and straws, wool, down, and es- 

 pecially feathers, with which the interior is thickly lined. 

 The same loose and careless style prevails as with the com- 

 mon sparrow, and long and unmanageable straws are, in like 

 manner, often left to stretch outside the cavity, betraying the 

 retreat within. The young vary in number from four to six 

 or seven, and several broods are produced in the course of 

 the season ; incubation commencing in February or March. 

 Pollard willows, decayed oaks, and old pear or apple trees, 

 are sometimes chosen for the site of the nest : they have also 

 been found in stacks of firewood, &c, the nest is seldom less 

 than four or five feet from the ground. The eggs of this 

 species are smaller in size than those of the house sparrow. 

 The young are fed with insects, and soon become able to 

 shift for themselves, when the parents begin to prepare for 

 the cares of another family. The same spot is often again 

 occupied by the same pair. 



