those observed in England: here it usually avoids the dwellmg of man; there it would appear to be
eee necessary to point out the differences 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 ‘oe 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 a the base. In ue 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 the holes 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 informs 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 83 lines
by 6 lines in breadth.’ Mr. Hewitson states <that they are commonly more closely mottled throughout
with 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 duri

ng 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-
shrill; and of its higher powers of song Mr.
mixed with some pleasing notes, delivered

Sparrow, but is more
Blyth says, ‘it consists of a number of these chirps inter-
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

wing-coverts reddish brown ; first row of the greater coverts blac
coverts black, externally margined with reddish brown,
primaries dark brown, all but the first margined at the b
length with buff; tertiaries darker brown, bro
at the tip; breast grey, fading into w

» fringed with yellowish olive; lesser
k, tipped with buffy white; second row of
and tipped with pale buff; spurious wing black ;
ase and for a short space about the middle of their

adly margined with reddish brown and with a patch of white

hite on the centre of the abdomen ;
very light brown ; bill black, except at the b
irides hazel.

flanks, vent, and under tail-coverts
ase, where it is orange ; legs, toes, and claws fleshy brown ;

U i, ° 2c = 5
The Plate represents a male and a female of the size of life, on

a sprig of Oak.