528 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



as one, with much toil, has dragged a worm from its place of concealment, 

 down swoops the bird and impudently carries it off. The poor bewildered 

 and plundered Eobin essays a late and vain attempt to protect its food. 

 The Sparrow is too nimble, and the worm is gone before its rightful owner 

 can turn to face the robber. 



The Sparrows endure the severest of the winter weather without any 

 apparent inconvenience, appearing as cheerful, contented, and noisy with the 

 thermometer at zero as at any other time. They are quite fearless, especially 

 in Xew York, running about under the feet of the passers-by with perfect 

 indifference and confidence. In Boston I have noticed their nests in con- 

 venient places, a few feet above crowded sideM'alks. In winter they come 

 regularly about the houses to be fed. 



The House Sparrow has also been introduced into Australia, where it has 

 become acclimated, and was, at the last accounts, rapidly increasing in that 

 quarter. It is likewise very common about Havana, Cuba. 



In the Old World this bird has a widely extended area of distribution, and 

 is resident wherever found. It is very abundant in the British Islands and 

 throughout the nortliern and central portions of Europe. In Spain and in 

 Italy it is replaced by two closely allied species or races. This bird, how- 

 ever, is also found in North Africa, in the Levant, at Trebizonde, and among 

 the mountains of Nubia. Specimens have also been received from the Him- 

 alayas, from Nepaul, and the vicinity of Calcutta. 



Both in Europe and in this country the Sparrows pair early in the season. 

 I have known them sitting on their eggs, in Boston, in March. They are 

 very prolific, have broods of five, six, and even seven at a time, three or four 

 times in a season. They are full of life and animation, somewhat disposed 

 to brief and noisy quarrels, which are always harmless. 



Their great attachment and devotion to their young is dwelt upon by all 

 English writers as quite remarkable. They evince a great partiality for 

 warmth, and even in midsummer line their nests with all the featliers they 

 can pick up. In New York it is a favorite amusement with the children to 

 carry with them to the public parks quantities of feathers, which they throw, 

 one by one, to the Sparrows, to witness their amusing contests for possession. 



The eggs of this bird are oval in shape, pointed at one end, with a ground 

 of a light ashen color, blotched, dotted, and streaked with various shades of 

 ashy and dusky brown. They measure from .85 to .95 of an inch in length, 

 and from .60 to .65 in breadth. 



Subfamily SPIZELLIN.^. — The Sparrows. 



Char. Bill variable, usually almost straight ; sometimes curved. Commissure gener- 

 ally nearly straight, or slightly concave. Upper mandible wider than lower. Nostrils 

 exposed. Wings moderate ; the outer primaries not much rounded. Tail variable. 

 Feet large ; tarsi mostly longer than the middle toe. 



