196 BIRDS OF BERMUDA. 



Hob. — Arctic America and Greenland, and corresponding latitudes in 

 the Old World ; irregularly southward in winter in the United States 

 to about 35^^ in roving flocks. (Cones.) 



This is a pretty constant visitor, seldom failing to make its appear- 

 ance, in large or small numbers, in December or January. They were 

 particularly numerous in 1850. I am credibly informed that of late years 

 they have been seen in considerable numbers feeding on the parade 

 ground and round about the stables, like sparrows, at Prosi^ect Camp. 

 One was seen there in December, 1874. Three, of which I procured one, 

 frequented the Walsingham end of the Causeway in January, 1875. 

 Others were seen at St. George's and elsewhere about the same time. 

 This bird has not appeared in spring. 



Genus Passer, Briss. 



44. Passer domesticus, Deg. & Gerbe. European House Sparrow. 



FringiUa domestica, Linn. 



Pyrgita domestica, Cuv. 



Passer domesticus, Deg. & Gerbe, and European authors generally. 



Length, 6.00 ; wing, 2.85 ; tail, 2.50. 



Hab. — Europe ; Asia ; North Africa ; Madeira. 



Some few years ago a number of these birds were imported from New 

 York (where they are now numerous), and turned out at St. George's ; 

 but many of them subsequently disappeared, probably victims to the 

 cats which swarm in all i^arts of the islands. The remainder, however, 

 appear to be flourishing, and in the spring of 1875 there were several 

 nests in the new barracks above the town. A second importation, from 

 New York also, took place in September, 1874, about fifty birds being 

 liberated in the viciuity of Hamilton. These soon scattered in all di- 

 rections, but about a dozen took up their quarters in the garden of the 

 court-house at Hamilton, and could be seen there daily during the win- 

 ter following. I have no doubt they will increase and multiply after 

 their manner, and in time become as much a nuisance as they are now 

 a curiosity. I certainly question the propriety of introducing these 

 quarrelsome birds (for the sake of the war they wage on the insect tribe 

 during the breeding season only) into the aristocratic society of the Blue 

 and lied Birds, which they will infallibly drive, in course of time, out 

 of tlie town gardens and inclosures altogether. 



Note. — I may here mention that I observed a single specimen of the 

 European Goldfinch, Garduelis elegans, near Harrington Sound, in April, 

 1875; it was very wild, and I could not get near it, but I imagine it 



