THE HOUSE SPARROW. 



INTRODUCTION. 



In commencing the history of the European House 

 Sparrow, which I have selected for the title of a work, 

 it cannot he considered out of place to introduce the 

 subject by a few remarks upon its position in a S3 T stem 

 of classification. "What I shall have to say under this 

 head will be mainly derived from the investigations and 

 studies of Dr. Coues. According to that author, the 

 subject under consideration must be referred to 



Subclass I. — AVES AEEE51, or Insessores, Aerial Birds, 

 or Perchers. 



Of the three primary divisions constituting the class 

 Aves, the foregoing ranks as first in importance, and 

 highest in position. It embraces all existing species of 

 birds down to the GalUnce, or gallinaceous birds. A 

 full definition of its external characters, in a work like 

 the present, would be entirely unnecessary. Suffice it to 

 say that, with rare exceptions, the toes occupy the same 

 plane, and touch the same support throughout, thus 

 adapting them for grasping, or perching. The members 

 of this extensive group are now generally placed mjive 

 orders, of which the first is the 

 2 



