it intrude on its territories : we know of an inftance, where 
B, fparrow that chanced to alight in the vicinity of the neft, 
was killed in an inftant by the male bird ; it is more fre- 
quently obferved to attack fmall birds than any other of our 
native fpecies, and often robs the nefts of the hedge-fparrow 
2ind red-flart of the young. 
It generally builds a neat compa^ neft, compofed of mofs, 
vegetable-down, hair, and feathers ; it is placed often in a 
hole, in a tree, or wall, or in an out-houfe, and we know 
of its building and rearing its young in the corner of a 
manger, from which a number of horfes were in the daily 
habit of feeding ; it lays from fix to ten white eggs, fpotted 
with ruft colour. 
The general note of this bird is little better than a chatter^ 
but in the fpring it varies ; fometimes uttering a low plaintive 
note, interrupted by a very fhrill whiftle, and frequently a 
harili kind of jarring noife ; thefe varied notes ceafe as the 
year advances, and v/hen the breeding feafon is over and the 
young quit the neft, its note again becomes monotonous. 
When in purfuit of the female, the male ereds the feathers 
on the head and neck ; fhould it when thus engaged, meet 
with one of its own fex, a battle immediately commences, 
which feldom terminates but with the lofs of life in one of the 
party ; %vhen this happens, the furvivor falls on the vanquifhed, 
and pecks out the brains, which is the part they prefer to all 
others. 
A variety is fometimes met with that has a white fpot oa 
the crown of the head, and a ring of the fame round the neck. 
