CATALOGUE OP^ BIRDS. Ill 



The House-Sparrow. 

 Family, FringillidcB. 



This bird does not require much introduction 

 from me, still, as a distinct species, it has to be dealt 

 with. Now, the Sparrow thrives and multiplies just 

 as well in the blackest and foulest atmosphere of our 

 manufacturing towns as in the pure air of our 

 country villages ; and as its one idea seems to be 

 distincdy amatory, bringing up family after family, 

 from early spring to very late autumn — provided 

 conditions in temperature are not too un- 

 favourable — I say, that with such indisputable 

 facts as these, the probability is you know the bird 

 only too well. The nest is usually a large oval ball of 

 straw and hay, mixed with bits of string, old rags, 

 paper, etc., lined with feathers. Eggs — four to six, 

 colour, bluish-white, spotted or blotched with ash or 

 dusky-brown. The site may be almost anywhere 

 — from roofs of houses, ivy, trees, etc., to holes in 

 walls or banks; the bird is very artful, preferring 

 some position that is not easily get-at-able ; often it 

 has the audacity and impertinence to oust useful 

 species from their pet spots — to wit, the House and 

 Sand Martin. 



Considering the filthy mess the Sparrow makes 

 with the scattered materials of its nest all about a 

 house, together with its prolific habit, and its 

 general cuteness in the breeding-time, it has become a 

 veritable pest and nuisance in our country, and it 

 would be a good thing if its numbers were greatly 

 reduced. Moreover, nothino- comes amiss to it in 



