those observed in England : here it usually avoids the dwelling of man ; there it would appear to be 
more familiar. 
It now beeomes neeessary to point out the differenees which exist in this bird and the Common Sparrow. 
In the first place, it is a smaller bird, neater in contour and broader in its markings ; in the next, the sexes 
are alike in colour ; and thirdly, there is scarcely any difference between the plumage of summer and winter, 
the bird being as nearly alike at both seasons as may be, except in the colour of the bill, which during the 
breeding-time is of a nearly uniform black, while in winter it is yellow at the base. In its gregarious and 
other habits it very closely resembles the Common Sparrow : but on this part of the bird’s economy I had 
better perhaps quote Mr. Yarrell’s account : — 
“It is generally described as frequenting trees, and building in tbe boles of decayed pollards ; but 
that this is not its universal habit I learn from the Rev. James F. Dimock and his brother, George 
Dimock of Uppingham, in Rutlandshire, who inform me that ‘This bird frequently builds in the 
thatch of a barn, in company with the House-Sparrow, not, however, entering the thatch from the 
inside of the building like them, but by holes in the outside. Five or six instances of this sort occurred 
in one building; and one or two pairs built about the farm-house. To be certain as to the species, 
some old birds were watched, shot when quitting their holes, and the eggs taken. They also built in the 
deserted nests of Magpies and Crows, in which they formed domed nests, like the Common Sparrow when 
it builds among the branches of trees ; and one pair built in a hole that had been occupied by a Green 
Woodpecker. These different modes of building occurred in a country abounding with pollards, ash- and 
willow-trees. Mr. Hoy informs me that he has observed on the Continent that this species often builds in 
holes of the tiling of houses and in stacks of wood-faggots ; and Vieillot says that in France they occasion- 
ally build in old walls not many feet above the ground. The nest is formed of hay, and lined with feathers. 
The eggs are four or five in number, of a dull white, speckled all over with ash-brown; the length 8| lines 
by 6 lines in breadth.’ Mr. Hewitson states that ‘ they are commonly more closely mottled throughout 
witli various shades of brown, and are subject to great variety of colouring.’ 
“ The young,” continues Mr. Yarrell, “ are supplied with insects and soft vegetables, which are also the 
principal substances consumed by the old birds during spring and summer; at other seasons of the year 
they feed on grain and seeds. Both young and old fly in flocks, with House-Sparrows, Chaffinches and other 
Finches, and Buntings, in and about farm-yards, corn-stacks, and any other places likely to supply food. 
“The common call-note is a monotonous chirp, not unlike that of the House-Sparrow, but is more 
shrill ; and of its higher powers of song Mr. Blyth says, ‘ it consists of a number of these chirps inter- 
mixed with some pleasing notes, delivered in a continuous unbroken strain, sometimes for many minutes 
together, very loudly, but having a characteristic Sparrow-like tone throughout.’ ” 
The crown of the head is rich vinous brown ; lores, line under and behind the eye, chin, and centre of 
the throat deep black ; cheeks white, with a large irregularly shaped patch of black in the centre ; upper 
part of the back and scapularies reddish brown, with a streak of black down the centre of each feather ; 
lower part of the back olive ; upper tail-coverts and tail dark brown, fringed with yellowish olive ; lesser 
wing-coverts reddish brown ; first row of the greater coverts black, tipped with huffy white ; second roAV of 
coverts black, externally margined with reddish brown, and tipped with pale buff; spurious wing black; 
primaries dark brown, all but the first margined at the base and for a short space about the middle of their 
length with buff ; tertiaries darker brown, broadly margined with reddish hrown and with a patch of white 
at the tip ; breast grey, fading into white on the centre of the abdomen ; flanks, vent, and under tail-coverts 
very light brown ; bill black, except at the base, where it is orange ; legs, toes, and claws fleshy brown ; 
irides hazel. 
The Plate represents a male and a female of the size of life, on a sprig of Oak. 
