ROCK SPARROW. 123 



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 Rock 

 Sparrow in the Rhinegau, 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 clanger or its nest is ap- 

 proached it calls out like the other Sparrows. Brehm 



