66 THE OLD-WORLD SPARROW. 



now seen around the Fifth-Avenue Hotel are de- 

 scendants of this first importation. The remainder 

 of the sparrows were given their liberty by Mr. 

 Henry Reiche in the Central Park. How they have 

 increased and multiplied, we need not inform our 

 readers who are in the habit of visiting the metrop- 

 olis of America, and how faithfully they have de- 

 voured all worms and insects that formerly ruined 

 the beautiful trees ; and we might say they have 

 been the saving of the fruit-crop the whole length 

 of the Hudson River. Gardens which had not a 

 currant in them for years, and apple-orchards that 

 had ceased to bear, were all in fine bearing order the 

 same season the sparrows were introduced. The 

 question is often asked, " Do these birds destroy 

 seed after planting?" We answer, No: they are an 

 insect-eating bird, and never eat or scratch seed. 

 They are consequently the farmer's best friend. 



In reply to a question, " How many broods do 

 they raise in a year ? " In New York and vicinity 

 they raise four broods in a season, and will doubt- 

 less do the same in any part of the country ; and 

 they never rear less than four to a brood, oftentimes 

 six birds. If our farmers and gardeners knew how 

 destructive they were to insects, and how crops 

 would be increased by their introduction, the subject 

 would receive earnest consideration. The sparrows 

 now sold are all raised in New York and its vicinity, 

 and of course are thoroughly acclimated ; so no 

 fears need be entertained of their dying from change 

 of climate. 



