596 



TEXTBOOK OF ZOOLOGY 



at the present time it reaehes the Rocky Mountains and has gone far 

 into Texas on the southwest. It became noticeable in central Texas 

 in the winter of 1935-1936 and plentiful during 1936-1937. It has 

 increased rapidly and it promises to be a nuisance. It may be recog- 

 nized by its gregarious habits, its rapid darting flight in flocks, its 

 short, thick body, and the fact that it walks on the ground instead of 

 hopping. It is about the size of a cowbird and its color is greenish 

 or purplish black with lustrous brown flecks or streaks. 



KACTS RKt,ATJXG TO TUB ENT.I.ISH SfAimOW 



ITS FXX.)0 Is CHtEFf.y.GttAIN. 



TT IXlJiS SKUIOirs HAKM TO STANDING 



KIELDfs AN 11 GKAIX IN' THE SHOCK. 



rr DEFKATS MAX;8 EFFOKTS TO tTCED 



AXU lUUnOR NATIVE BirSD.S BV COX- 



.S'OMtNG THK VXHilK 



rr DJttvKs AWAV oi"u nativk biros 

 WHOHK riiESF.jCcK 1^ Mi;rti xoheto be 



I>ESIHK1). 



NCSTl-NG USS THA,V OS! VIIU 1\S 



AOULT 



Fig. 317. — Facts concerning English sparrow. (Courtesy Conrad Slide and Pro- 

 jection Company.) 



Economic Relations 



Birds constitute one of our very valuable groups of animals be- 

 cause of their several services to man. At the same time there are 

 some forms which have only a negative importance. The meat of 

 several birds has long been used as food for man. The chief 

 groups among the wild birds that are used as food are ducks, geese, 

 quail, doves, grouse, pheasants, and turkeys. Many other birds are 

 abundant enough and palatable enough, but they are too small. 

 The sparrow is such an example. There are others that are abun- 

 dant and easy to secure, but are not particularly palatable; this is 



