1097. Passer domesticus confucius

(1097) Passer domesticus confucius.

The Burmese House-Sparrow.

Passer confucius Bonaparte, Notes Orn. Coll. Delattre, p. 14 (1854) (China in errore ; Rangoon). Passer domesticus. Blanf. & Oates, ii, p. 236 (part).

Vernacular names. Churi and Khas Churi (Hind, in the South); Uri-pichike (Tel.) ; Adiki-lam-kuravi (Tam.) ; Charia or Chata (Beng.) ; Giriya-sorai (Assam).

Description. Similar to the last but much deeper chestnut above and with the deep chestnut post-ocular stripe broader, purer and produced further down the sides of the neck; the black on the breast is more extensive and, generally, the wing-patch is more extensive and a purer white. The females are darker above and on the whole greyer and not so fulvous in tint.

Colours of soft parts as in the other races.

Measurements. Total length about 150 mm.: wing, 69 to 74 mm., 65 to 72 mm.; Nepal and Sikkim birds are bigger, 72 to 78 mm., intermediate between this form and parkini. These are probably all birds of considerable elevation.

Distribution. Ceylon, India South and East of the range of P. d. indicus, Assam, Burma East to Karenni and South to Moulmein. Oates records it from Cochin China but I do not know on what authority.

Nidification. Similar to that of the preceding race. One hundred eggs average 20.7 x 14.8 mm.: maxima 23.0 x 15.0 and 20.3 x 15.5 mm.; minima 17.8 x 14.8 and 19.0 x 13.8 mm. The

breeding-season is from April to July but nests may be found in any month of the year and many birds have three or even more broods.

Habits. Those of the species. Like all House-Sparrows, wherever it goes it bullies and turns out the Tree-Sparrow or Cinnamon Sparrow from the haunts of man. It usurps their nesting-places, takes their food and by sheer persistence finally establishes itself in their place.