33 



CHAPTER II. 

 THE SPARROW IN AMERICA. 



Tins species, which was introduced into several por- 

 tions of our country a few years ago, has increased so 

 rapidly in numbers that it is now accounted one of 

 our most familiar denizens. Before another decade has 

 passed, unless measures are taken to check its wonderful 

 diffusion, the result of its rapid propagation, it will be 

 safe to predict a general overflow of the entire country. 



The earliest attempt to introduce these birds was ap- 

 parently made in the autumn of 1858, by Deblois, in 

 Portland, Maine. To the number of six they were let 

 loose in a large garden near the centre of the city. The 

 following winter was spent in the immediate locality, 

 shelter from the inclement weather being obtained 

 underneath the porch of a neighboring church. In the 

 spring of 1859 three nests were built, in only one of 

 which the parents were successful in rearing a family. 

 Two broods consisting of ten young birds resulted from 

 this union. The birds continued to multiply, and ulti- 

 mately became so numerous, that as early as the winter 

 of 1871 they reached the town of Rockland of the same 

 State. 



In 1860 Eugene Schieffelin, of New York, imported 

 twelve of these birds, and set them at liberty in the 

 vicinity of Madison Square in that city. Several years 

 in succession the experiment was repeated. In 1864 



