480 



MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 



217. English Sparrow. Passer domesticus (Linn.). 



Synonyms: House Sparrow, European House Sparrow, Sparrow. 

 Linn., 1758. — Passer domesticus of most authors. 



-Erin "ilia domostica, 



Figure 11 4- 



The adult male has a clear ash-gray crown, deep black throat and upper 

 breast, with white on both sides, and a conspicuous chestnut collar or cape 

 extending from the eyes along the sides and back of neck. The wings and 

 back are streaked chestnut and black with a short white bar on the shoulder, 

 the "chip" which the little fighter carries on his shoulder as a challenge 

 to all others of his kind. 



Distribution. — Nearly the whole of Europe and practically all of 

 temperate North America, as well as Australia, New Zeeland and parts of 

 South America. Originally a European bird, it has been carried all over 

 the world and has now become naturahzed in almost all temperate climates 

 of both the northern and southern hemispheres. 



The English Sparrow, more properly known as the European House 

 Sparrow, was first brought to America, so far as we know, in the fall of 1850, 

 when eight pairs were _ 



brought to Brooklyn, 

 N. Y. and liberated in 

 the spring of the follow- 

 ing year. Since this 

 time there have been 

 scores, probably hun- 

 dreds of importations, 

 and small lots of spar- 

 rows have been trans- 

 ferred from one city in 

 the United States to 

 another, and subse- 

 quently transfers of 

 these plantings have 

 been made until the bird 

 is now naturalized over 

 practically the whole 

 United States. 



So far as we can learn 

 the first birds were 

 brought to Jackson, 

 Michigan, l)etween 1874 

 and 1876, and four birds were Hberated at Owosso in 1876. The place from 

 which these birds were obtained is not known. The Sparrow is now 

 abvmdant throughout all the larger towns and cities of the entire state and 

 also in most of the smallest villages and hamlets, unless these are situa- 

 ted at considerable distances from any railroad or lake or river port. 



Its habits are too well known to need extended mention. It is an 

 unmitigated pest, whose good points are so few that they may be summed 

 up in a few lines. The Sparrow remains with us through the winter and 

 his presence does something to enliven that nearly birdlcss season; it eats 



Fig. 

 From Bull 



male. 

 JJept. Agriculture. 



