THE SPARROW IN AMERICA. 71 



birds which had previously escaped the writer's atten- 

 tion. But since their perusal, I have been able to con- 

 firm them. He not only calls notice to a change of habit 

 which this species has undergone, but also to a change 

 of color. His observations are wholly restricted to New 

 York City and its environs. While a sparrow with a 

 white feather would be considered much of a curiosity 

 in England or France, says substantially our informant, 

 such birds are by no means uncommon in and about 

 that city. According to this writer they constitute at 

 least five per cent, of the entire number. In the City 

 Hall Park, and at Bloomingdale, birds are frequently 

 seen with unusually light plumage. In the midst of 

 Germantown, I have observed at least five birds out of 

 every hundred, in which this color-change was decidedly 

 manifest. Further, our informant says, after comparing 

 the movements of the European sparrow with those of its 

 cis-Atlantic cousin, that the former moves with a clear 

 and distinct hop, thus making a quite perceptible pause 

 between the two consecutive hops ; while the latter makes 

 a succession of quick hops with very small ascent, almost 

 equivalent to a short run, then stops very abruptly, thus 

 resembling, in a measure, the characteristic movement 

 of the American robin. In conclusion, he says that the 

 American bird is seemingly " entertaining somewhat of 

 disdain for the insectivorousness to which he owes his 

 importation, forgetful that in no other way can he pay 

 his passage money." 



It is well known that the most friendly relations 

 subsist among the sparrows of the same household. 

 Instances have been recorded showing this, and also 

 the willingness and readiness with which they hasten 

 to the rescue of one of their number when in danger. 



