TI!I;E-S[*.UIK<JYV,
or (bur among the rough itemi of some caorsc ivy that grow ovrr an old wall. Not one did I discover among*)
trees, though 11 on so-Spar rows were hreeiling plentifully both in the branches and the ivy round the trunks.
Within the last few years I again visited the district, and noticed the birds sfill frequenting the same spots ;
n small colony was also pointed out by one of the natives in the roof of a carpenter's shed.
Occasionally I remarked in the east of Norfolk that these birds were absent from their usual haunts for
some mouths during winter. Under date of Sunday, March 31). 187IJ, the following occurs in my notes:—
" IV Sparrows were again numerous round the farm-buildings, this being almost the lirst day they had put in
an appearance, a close watch having been kept for their return." During the winters of 1S71 and l s s i they
were to he observed continually throughout the cold weather in company with House-Sparrows, Finches, and
Huntings round the cattle-yards of several of the farms.
Although il has been asserted that Tree-Sparrow s do not inhabit town- in Great Britain. 1 repea'.edly noticed
a few pair pecking about in the main road running through the north end of Yarmouth in the autumn of 1S72.
Whether these were migrants lately landed, or residents, I had no means of ascertaining. A single bird also
attracted my attention in a garden rather nearer the outskirts of the town in the rammer of 18S3,
'The newly hatched broods of these Sparrows sutl'ered severely from the Scree beat in the summer of 1S73.
Several pairs had built their nests under the tiled roofs of some cattle-sheds and piggeries adjoining the Falgate
Inn at Potter lleigham, where the space was exceedingly crumped and little or no air could penetrate. Being
anxious to procure specimens in the nestling plumage I removed the tiles, when the whole of the young, in all
probability sulfocalcd by the tropical heat, were discovered dead in the nests. After their bereavement I noticed
three or four pairs of the birds building again between the 7th and 10th of July in some rank ivy overhanging
an anl Equated wall. '1' his sit unl tor. had evident h lieen chosen with considerable font bought. I lie widely -pleading
limbs and dense foliage nll'ording ample shade and protection from the rays of the sun.
The male and female of this Sparrow arc alike ; the young also exhibit the same markings, though somewhat
less clearly defined, in their lirst plumage.