108 Transactions. — Zoology. 



Art. XIJI.— Note on the Breeding Habits of the European 

 Sparrow (Passer domesticus) in Neio Zealand. 



By T. W. Kirk, F.E.M.S., F.L.S. 



[Bead before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 2nd July, 1890.. 



It is my ambition to lay before the society at a future meet- 

 ing a complete history of the sparrow in New Zealand, its 

 introduction, distribution, rate of increase, the various in- 

 fluences affecting that increase, such as climate, food, &c., 

 together with a quantity of evidence both as to its insecti- 

 vorous and grain-devouring proclivities, its influence upon 

 the various branches of horticulture, and the means of check- 

 ing the too-rapid increase, &c. 



Being struck with the spirit of partisanship which per- 

 vaded most discussions on the so-called sparrow question, I 

 some years ago decided to collect all the obtainable evidence 

 having any possible bearing on the subject, with the result 

 that a large mass of material has accumulated in my hands. 

 But, on attempting to work it up, I found that much more 

 must be done before the history can be considered complete, 

 and a fair and impartial judgment given. For instance, I have 

 the opinions of many persons on the question of whether the 

 sparrow does more harm than good to agriculture ; but mere 

 opinions, unless backed by evidence, do not carry much weight, 

 and the point can be settled only by the examination of large 

 numbei's of specimens. I have myself dissected fifty-three 

 birds, taken at all seasons of the year, and am forced to admit 

 that the remains of insects found in them constituted but a 

 very small proportion of the total food. I may mention that a 

 record has been kept of the sex and contents of each of the 

 birds obtained ; but some hundreds, captured systematically 

 at various seasons and in various localities, will be required 

 before a reliable " food table " can be constructed. So with re- 

 gard to the rate at which they have spread and are spreading 

 over the country, I find iny notes from several districts in- 

 complete. More detailed information is required as to theii- 

 treatment of fruit. 



The account of the most approved methods adopted in other 

 countries for keeping their numbers somewhat within bounds 

 is, I think, toleroJjly complete. But further inquiry is neces- 

 sary as to how far our native birds are injuriously affected by 

 the all-i^,ervading sparrow. I have therefore to-night con- 

 fined myself to one section of the subject ; and the statements, 

 though brief, are the result of numerous inquiries and of 

 lengthened personal observations. It is hoped tliat their pub- 



