The GOLDEN SPARROW (_Chrysospiza lutea_), also a native of Africa, is one
of the most beautiful members of this family. The head, neck, and entire
under part of the body are of a golden yellow, the mantle reddish brown,
the small upper wing-covers black, the wing and tail quills dark grey,
edged with reddish brown. The female is very like that of the Common
Sparrow, her tints, however, being more golden, and her throat yellow.
The young male is like its mother, but brighter. In size the Golden
Sparrow resembles the Common species.
Well-watered plains, abounding in mimosa-bushes, afford the shelter most
agreeable to these birds, and from such localities they sally forth in
large flocks to fall upon the fields of corn or grass. They generally fly
over a very limited extent of country, and exhibit so little timidity
that they will allow a man to approach quite close to them before taking
alarm; they are thus easily brought down by a shot, which only drives
the rest of the party to a short distance. Before the rainy season, when
the ground is parched and barren, the Golden Sparrow visits the villages
and small towns in hope of finding food in the surrounding farmyards and
gardens, and though at first rather shy, soon loses all fear of man.
Incubation takes place during the period of the heavy rains, the flocks
dividing into pairs about the month of August, keeping at no great
distance from each other, and often building close together. The nest,
like that of other Sparrows, is constructed, without much art, of such
materials as happen to be in the neighbourhood, and is placed but a few
feet above the ground. The eggs, three or four in number, are white,
spotted with brown, and about eight lines in length. The young are
seen flying with their parents by the end of September or October. The
moulting season is in the month of January, and by June or July the coats
of the adult birds have acquired their greatest beauty. We have never
seen the African Golden Sparrow in a cage, even in its own country, for
though striking in plumage, it is entirely deficient in song.