FRINGILLID^ — THE FINCHES. 527 



birds, and the experiment was supposed to be a failure, when it was ascer- 

 tained that they had betaken themselves to the vicinity of stables in the 

 southern part of the city, liad increased and multiplied in large numbers, 

 reappearing in the winter to the number of one liundred and fifty. They 

 were regularly led by the city forester each day in the deer-park, and roosted 

 at night in the thatch of the roofs of the 1)uildings. Since tlien they have 

 very largely increased. About twenty, that same summer, were set at liberty 

 in Monument Square, Charlestown. 



In 1869 about one thousand birds were imported, by the City Govern- 

 ment, into I'hiladelphia. Fortunately they came in good condition, and being 

 released early in May immediately separated into scattered parties and pre- 

 pared for themselves new homes. Some appeared in Morristown and other 

 distant towns in New Jersey. Others wandered to Germantown, and the 

 remoter suburbs of Philadelphia, where they found the cherry-trees in full 

 blossom, and where their exploits in stripping the blooms from the trees 

 gave a not very favorable first impression of these new-comers. 



It has been exceedingly interesting to watch the manners and habits of 

 these strangers in their new homes. They have become quite tame, are fear- 

 less and gentle, and as they have been very kindly treated live in a condition 

 of semi-domestication. At first they built their nests, and passed their win- 

 ters, in New York, among the thick ivies that cover the walls of so many 

 churches, in such cases l)uilding globular nests. As soon, however, as suit- 

 able boxes were prepared for them in sufficient quantities, these were taken 

 possession of in preference to anything else. 



At the time of their introduction the shade-trees in the parks and squares 

 of New York, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Newark, and other places, were greatly 

 infested with the larvai of the measure-M^orms that destroyed their foliage. 

 Since then these worms have almost entirely disappeared. A doubt has 

 been expressed whether the Sparrows destroy these insects. Tliat they 

 eat them in the larva^ form I do not know, but to tlieir destruction of the 

 chrysalis, the moth, and the eggs, I can testify, having been eye-witness 

 to the act. 



Apprehensions have been expressed lest these new-comers may molest and 

 drive away our own native birds. How this may be when the Sparrows 

 become more numerous cannot now be determined, but so far they manifest 

 no such disposition. Since their introduction into Boston the Chipping 

 Sparrows appear to have increased, and to associate by preference with their 

 European visitors, feeding with them unmolested. I have been unable to 

 detect a single instance in which they have been molested, in any manner, 

 by their larger companions. Their predatory aggressions, however, upon the 

 rights of the connnon liolnn have been noticed, and deserve mention. The 

 Sparrows appear to be extravagantly fond of earthworms, but not able to 

 hunt for them themselves. They have learned to watch the Pobin as it 

 forages for these worms, keeping around, at a respectful distance, and as soon 



