THE OLD-WORLD SPARROW. 67 



To those who propose introducing this bird, either 

 private individuals, or town or city authorities, we 

 would suggest the propriety of sending their orders 

 during the months of January and February. The 

 sparrows ordered at that time will be ready for de- 

 livery at a date not later than the 15th of April. At 

 this time they begin mating, and are engaged in 

 building their nests, and consequently cannot be 

 caught and transported to other places without dan- 

 ger to them, and loss of life, which, if persisted in, 

 would speedily exterminate all the sparrows which 

 have cost America immense sums of money. Lovers 

 of sparrows who desire introducing them, and have 

 neglected ordering during the months of January 

 and February, and who do not reside north of Port- 

 land, can order at any time in the summer, and re- 

 ceive them during the months of October and No- 

 vember. The birds sent at this time are hardy, and 

 require but little care ; the main point being to sup- 

 ply them with soft food, such as stale bread, &c. 

 If the snow should remain for a considerable length 

 of time, it would be well to sweep a piece of ground, 

 thereby enabling them to procure gravel, which is of 

 the utmost importance for proper digestion and con- 

 sequent health. 



