Passer montana, RAY; Friquet, ou Moineau des haies, BUFFON;
Der Feldsperling, BECHSTEIN.
This species is more beautiful than the preceding. In length it is five
inches and a half; the beak is dusky; the feet are bluish
flesh-coloured; the upper part of the head as far as the nape of the
neck is reddish brown; the cheeks are white with a black spot; a white
ring surrounds the neck; the back is spotted with black and red; the
lower part of the back and the rump are grey brown; the throat white,
the breast light ash-coloured; the belly dusky white; the quill feathers
and tail are dark brown; the lesser wing-coverts rust-red; the greater,
black with red edges and white tips, which form two transverse bars.
Two varieties are known, the white and streaked.
HABITATION.--In their wild state, they are not only found throughout
Europe, but also in the north of Asia and America. In Germany and
England it is not so common as the house sparrow, for in some
provinces it is never seen. It frequents gardens, orchards, and
fields abounding with trees and hedges. In September, large flights
are seen to fall upon the ripe fields of barley and oats.
In the house it is let run about like the former, which it does very
awkwardly from having short legs, and this gives it the appearance of
dragging along on its belly. It is only kept in a cage in countries
where it is very rare.
FOOD.--This is the same as that of the preceding.
BREEDING.--The nest must be sought in the holes of fruit trees, or in
hollow willows at the water's edge; it breeds twice in the year.
MODE OF TAKING.--This is the same as the preceding; but being less
distrustful and cunning, it is easily enticed under a sieve placed
before a barn in winter.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Its plumage is prettier than the preceding, its
song is also less short and monotonous; but it is weak, and when it
might be sweet, it is lost among the other songs in the room. The
tree sparrow might be accustomed in the country to go and come at
command by treating it in the manner described with respect to the
house sparrow. It is more difficult to preserve it, and it generally
dies of decline.