36 THE HOUSE SPARROW. 



the authorities. Owing to the inclemency of the season 

 they were comfortably quartered, and provided with 

 every needful attention. In the latter part of April, 

 the weather becoming mild, they were released from 

 their long confinement, to fly whither they chose. In 

 the best of condition, the result of the attention and 

 care bestowed upon them since their arrival, and eman- 

 cipated at a period when nature was buoyant with life, 

 and all aglow with beauty and song, there could be no 

 obstacle to their easy acclimatization, and consequent 

 multiplication and diffusion. 



Later, these birds were introduced into Utah, in the 

 vicinity of Great Salt Lake, where they have become 

 quite common ; and still later in Indianapolis, la., where 

 they have grown to be so troublesome that the inhabi- 

 tants would gladly get rid of them at almost any cost. 

 An effort is now being made to introduce them into 

 North Carolina, under the fancied belief that they will 

 prove highly beneficial in the destruction of noxious in- 

 sects, but I hope that it will not succeed. The agent for 

 their introduction has lately become convinced of their 

 utter worthlessness, and has so informed his friends. 



Few species of birds display less suspicion, greater 

 caution, and more pugnacity, than the subject of our 

 sketch. It delights to dwell in close proximity to human 

 dwellings, and apparently affects a fondness for man's 

 society. While thus manifesting considerable confidence 

 in man, as shown by its familiar manners, it, however, 

 possesses so many unenviable traits as not to merit the 

 full measure of his esteem and approbation. The inso- 

 lence of its deportment, sneaking, thievish propensities, 

 and above all, its pugnacity, rapacity, and destructive- 

 ness, render it an object of profound contempt. 



