THE TREE-SPARROW. 



Passer montanus (Linnaeus). 

 Plate i6. 



This species may easily be distinguished from the House-Sparrow by the 

 uniform reddish-brown colour on the crown of the head, dark spot in the centre of 

 the white cheeks, and also by its smaller size. Unlike the House-Sparrow, the 

 sexes do not differ in colour. 



The Tree-Sparrow is widely spread over the British Islands, though local, and 

 is not nearly so common as the other species. It is also found throughout the 

 greater part of Europe, and has a wide range in Asia. 



It usually nests in some hole, high up in a decayed tree, several pairs often 

 associating together. The nest, composed of dead grasses and feathers, contains 

 about six eggs ; these are greyish-white in ground colour, mottled with brown. 



In its habits the Tree-Sparrow is lively and active, though somewhat shy ; in 

 winter often frequenting stackyards in company with other birds. 



According to Lord Li 1 ford {Birds of Northamptonshire and Neighbourhood, 

 vol. i. p. 182), " The ordinary notes of the Tree-Sparrow are sharper and more shrill 

 than those of the House-Sparrow, to which, however, they have a great resemblance ; 

 at the pairing-season we have occasionally heard a sort of prolonged chatter from 

 the male bird." 



The food consists of seeds and insects. 



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