14 



CHAPTER I. 

 THE SPARROW IN EUROPE. 



Tins bird is quite common over the whole of the 

 United Kingdom, including the islands of Orkney and 

 Shetland. It is also found in Sweden, Norway, and 

 Denmark; thence extending southward through Prus- 

 sia, France, Spain, and Portugal, to Northern Africa, 

 and eastward to Italy and Dalmatia. It is mostly re- 

 stricted to the European Continent and the adjoining 

 islands, although specimens have been obtained from 

 Trebizond, the Nubian Mountains, the Himalaya Moun- 

 tains, and other parts of India. Since the colonization 

 of Australia by the English, these birds. have been intro- 

 duced, and are increasing rapidly in numbers, to the 

 great detriment of native species. 



This noisy, familiar, impatient bird is one of those 

 creatures that manifest a close attachment to man, and 

 follows him wherever he goes. Nothing seems to daunt 

 his spirit. In the midst of the crowded and tumultuous 

 city, among the queer sights and noises of the railroad 

 station, and in the more retired and peaceful shades of 

 the country farm, he is equally at home. He treats 

 with the same indifference the slow-paced wagon, the 

 rattling omnibuses and cabs, and the snorting engines. 



Few species are more wary. Various devices in the 

 form of traps, etc., are often used to capture these birds, 

 but without much success. But at nights, when they 



