244 LAND-BIRDS. 



An imported bird, common in many of our cities and towns, 

 and rapidly infesting the country. 



a. About six inches long. Nostrils covered. (J , above, 

 reddish brown, black-streaked ; but crown, rump, etc., ashy. 

 Forehead, lores, and throat, black ; other under parts, brown- 

 ish or grayish. 9 ' without black on the head ; brown of 

 the back rather grayish. 



b. The eggs are often somewhat elongated, the length 

 being about .85 of an inch, and the breadth sometimes no 

 more than .55. They are dull white, or grayish, marked with 

 ashy, and sometimes purplish or dark brown. These mark- 

 ings are commonly spread over the egg numerously and 

 evenly. 



c. The House Sparrows, or, as they are better known to 

 Americans, the English Sparrows, have been introduced into 

 the United States within twenty years, and into Boston within 

 ten years.* They are now abundant in many cities and towns ; 

 but the wisdom of their introduction is greatly to be doubted.f 

 They are extremely prolific, and it is not improbable that a 

 pair may often produce thirty young in one year, for they 

 begin to build their nests even in winter. This dispropor- 

 tionate increase, and their tyrannical disposition, render them 

 dangerous to our birds, many of whom they have already 

 driven from Boston Common. So long, however, as they 

 confine themselves to their present haunts, and do not invade 

 the country, they will not be insufferable. As to their value, 

 though it is said that they have greatly checked the ravages 

 of canker-worms, they are very destructive to fruit-blossoms, 

 and they are now too pampered by luxury to be efficiently 

 useful, being constantly provided with food and with lodg- 

 ings. They are regardless of cold, and nearly so of man, 



of niiinbers I leave this and the next York, where, however, they were not 



following genus as they stood in the set free until early the following spring, 



first edition of Mr. Minot's book. — W. They were first introduced into Boston 



B. inl868. — W. B. 



* The first House Sparrows are said t It is now very generally deplored, 



to have been brought to this country in biit the evil can never be undone. — 



the autumn of 1850, when eight pairs W. B. 

 were imported into Brooklyn, New 



