The ROCK SPARROW (_Petronia rupestris_) is most undoubtedly to be classed
with the preceding birds, though differing from them in shape, colour,
and habits. The body is compact, its length six and a quarter inches,
and breadth across the wings nine and a half inches, the female somewhat
less. The beak is comparatively strong, and the plumage very plain,
resembling that of the female House Sparrow. The back is greyish brown,
marked with blackish-brown and greyish-white spots; the upper tail-covers
grey, and striped, as is the forehead, with olive brown; over the eyes
passes a lighter streak, and the tail-feathers have a white spot on the
under side. In winter the beak is of a brownish grey, in summer of a
yellow tint, the upper mandible being darker than the under; the eyes
are brown, and the tarsus reddish grey. There is but little difference
in the appearance of the sexes after they have attained maturity, and
females are often found as beautifully marked as the male. The young are
recognisable by a white spot upon the throat.
In the South of France, Spain, Algiers, and the Canary Islands, the Rock
Sparrow is extremely common. It is found principally in mountainous
districts, among old ruins, but is often met with near towns or villages,
and in lonely valleys; it is by no means afraid of man, though it but
rarely comes down into the streets, preferring to remain in the retreats
it has chosen in cliffs or old towers, until compelled by hunger to
seek its food in the adjacent fields. Above all other things it prizes
liberty, and exhibits a foresight and prudence in its intercourse with
our race that distinguishes it in a remarkable degree from the rest of
its congeners. In its movements the Rock Sparrow bears a considerable
resemblance to the Cross-bill; its flight is produced by a short, quick
vibration of the wings, upon which it poises itself with a hovering
motion before perching. It hops nimbly upon the ground, and while sitting
assumes a defiant attitude, and wags its tail repeatedly. The voice of
this bird might almost be termed a song, and is not unlike that of the
Bullfinch, though by no means so agreeable or varied. The breeding season
commences at the end of spring, or the beginning of summer. This species
builds in holes in rocks, walls, or roofs, and with so much precaution
are their retreats selected that it is extremely difficult to find a
nest. The one we saw was constructed of straws and bits of cloth and
linen, carelessly intermixed, and lined with feathers, hair, and wool.
One of these little cradles is often used for years by the same birds,
who make whatever improvements are necessary as spring returns. The
eggs, which are five in number, are larger than those of the generality
of Sparrows, and of a greyish or dirty white, spotted and streaked with
slate colour, the markings being most numerous at the broad end. We are
unable to speak with certainty as to whether both parents brood, although
they certainly co-operate in taking care of their progeny. When the young
first leave the nest they associate in flocks, and fly about the country
until the autumn, the parents, in the meantime, employing themselves in
rearing a second and third family. Rock Sparrows subsist principally upon
insects, seeds, and berries. In Spain and Germany they are often to be
seen hopping through the dirt in the streets, and in the former country
are brought to market spitted upon a stick. They are easily obtained by
the help of nets or limed twigs, but are so wary that it is difficult to
bring them down with a gun. In spite of its shyness this species is very
well adapted for the cage, and will become so tame as to take its food
out of the hand of its master.
* * * * *
The HAWFINCHES (_Coccothraustæ_) have usually been classed amongst the
true Finches (_Fringillæ_), but in our opinion they should be regarded
as the type of a peculiar family. The birds belonging to this group are
recognisable by their compact body, long wings, comparatively short tail,
short, powerful legs, and above all by their strong, rounded, thick,
and pointed beak, furnished with a longitudinal groove within the upper
mandible, behind which there is a transverse ridge, placed directly
above a corresponding depression in the lower mandible, surrounded by
a thickened margin. The plumage is rich, somewhat lax, and, though
striking, not brightly coloured. The members of this group are found in
all parts of the world--indeed, some species are extremely numerous, but
our knowledge of their mode of life and habits is but limited.