Sparrows 321 



that they are difficult to distinguish by their color and 

 markings. When they are quiet, it is hard to see them 

 on the ground or where they are in bushes or among 

 dry grass. The family includes also some bright-colored 

 birds, and among these as well as among the plain-col- 

 ored ones are several good singers. 



The English sparrow or house sparrow. In recent 

 years this bird has spread over much of the United States 

 and has become common about buildings in the country 

 as well as in towns. In some parts of the Southern states 

 it is seen only in winter. It is about 6 inches in length. 

 The male has the middle of the throat and breast black. 

 What other part of his plumage differs from that of the 

 female? Describe the nesting habits of these sparrows. 

 About how many of them have you seen together ? Are 

 many of them killed by people ? Mention several other 

 ways in which they meet death. Are they becoming 

 more common in your neighborhood? How are they 

 adapted to live in towns? Do they fight with one an- 

 other? Do they molest other kinds of birds? Have 

 native birds become scarcer since the English sparrow 

 came ? If so, do you think it is due to the English spar- 

 row or to other causes? What good can you say for 

 English sparrows? Of what evil practices are they 

 guilty ? On the whole, do you think the importation of 

 these birds was wise ? 



The song sparrow. A song sparrow is as long as an 

 English sparrow, but more slender. It has a more red- 

 dish brown color and has streaks on both the upper and 

 under parts. These birds are common in the shrubbery 

 along streams and country roads over much of North 



