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When you talked of keeping a reed-sparrow, and giving it seeds, I could not help wondering; because the reed-sparrow which I mentioned to you (passer wnmdinaceus minor Rait) is a soft-billed bird ; and most probably migrates hence before winter ;, whereas the bird you kept (passer toryuatus Rail) abides all the year, and is a thick-billed bird. I question whether the latter be much of a songster; but in this matter I want to be better informed. The former has a variety of hurrying notes, and sings all night. Some part of the song of the former, I suspect, is attributed to the latter. We have plenty of the soft-billed sort; which Mr. Pennant had entirely left out of his British Zoology, till I reminded, him of his omission.

Gilbert White
The Natual History of Selborne