154 



British Cage Birds. 



duller. The bill of the hen is slaty brown, and so are the 

 legs and feet. The young males before moulting resemble 

 matured females. 



Song. — The House Sparrow does not sing, but makes a 

 disagreeable hubbub, which is termed chirruping ; and when 

 excited and quarrelling, a dozen Sparrows can create a noise 

 well calculated to disturb the equilibrium of any nervous and 

 sensitive person. It has been asserted by some ornithologists, 

 that Sparrows can be taught to sing vigorously and well ; 

 but they evidently refer to the Hedge Sparrow, and not the 

 House Sparrow, for, whilst the latter cannot utter a single 

 musical note of any sort, the former is a good song bird. 



Points to be Obseeved in Judging. — Select a large, bold 

 bird, in full plumage — a three-year-old bird ; one moulted 

 out of doors, or in a large aviary, would be best for show 

 purposes. Choose a bird compact in feather, stout, and of 

 good contour and erect carriage. The top of the head and 

 back part of the neck should be a nice ash colour, free 

 from smudge or inkiness ; the throat, fore part of the neck, 

 and eye markings, a bright, deep, rich black; cheeks whitish 

 grey ; breast and belly pale ash colour ; the back and wing 

 coverts of a deep reddish brown, mixed with bright black, 

 evenly spangled, and the wing bars distinct. The bird 

 must be clean, free from broken feathers, in good health, 

 and lively, but steady on the perch. 



Geneeal Eemaeks. — House Sparrows are thoughtful, provi- 

 dent, and industrious. They gather up a store of feathers 

 and wool in readiness for building their nests, and hide it in 

 places where it is not likely to be disturbed, and where it is 

 easy of access. They likewise store up food against a rainy 

 day, in places that are very difQcult to reach, and resort to 

 it in inclement weather, for they appear to have aii aversion 

 to getting wet, and during a heavy downpour of rain seek 

 shelter, and remain there, only leaving it when hungry or 

 thirsty, or when they are disturbed and frightened. They 

 are great thieves, and frequently plunder their neighbours, 

 robbing them of food or material to construct their nests 

 whenever a favourable opportunity presents itself. If caught in 

 the act by the rightful owners, a regular onslaught follows, 

 and there is war to the knife, for they are resolute, pugnacious 

 birds, and at times have the temerity to attack Starlings, 



