78 The Flouse Sparrow. 
pale brown. ‘The female differs from the male, want- 
ing the black near the beak, and having a light line 
over each eye. Eggs faint grey-white, spotted with 
dark grey and brown. 
We have no bird that will follow man like the 
House Sparrow—it seems to possess a strong desire 
to dwell with him. In our country walks we see 
it; when in sea-ports, towns, and cities, we have the 
pleasure of both seeing this bird and hearing its chirps. 
No matter, then, whether we are in town or country, the 
Sparrow can be noticed. It seems just as well pleased 
to sit on our houses in crowded cities as on our roofs 
by the lane-side. 
I would suppose every boy to know the Sparrow when 
he sees it, if not all its movements, so upon this belief 
I will endeavour to describe its habits. The farm-yard 
all the year round isa certain place where we can watch 
many of its movements. There it is to be seen in com- 
pany with other birds, and can be easily distinguished 
by its hop when at too great a distance for plumage 
to be discerned. When on the ground in search of 
food, it frequently hops with rapid bounds, keeping 
its body in an oblique line, allowing the end of its tail 
to come close to the ground, then stopping to give a 
