132 BIRDS OF MAINE. 



INTRODUCED SPECIES. 



This list contains such birds as have been introduced into the 

 state, never having naturally occurred here, and which have been 

 known to breed after their liberation. Such species as the Prairie 

 Hen, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Capercailzie, Black Grouse and Euro- 

 pean Quail, which were either let loose in limited numbers and 

 known not to have survived, or whose survival and breeding is in 

 doubt, are not considered entitled to a place in this list. 



317. Columba livia. Domestic Pigeon. 



Although introduced by man and originally domesticated, this 

 species has escaped and breeds abundantly in the cornices of dwell- 

 ings, deserted lofts, bridges and similar situations within our 

 larger towns and cities. It is therefor seemingly entitled to a place 

 in this list. These birds are not at all particular regarding the 

 time of the year they choose for nesting. This present winter, 

 1897, I have, during the month of February, seen Pigeons engaged 

 in incubating their eggs in nests in the cornices of houses, exposed 

 to the force of every storm. One such nest I passed every day on 

 my way down town. In late January I also saw a young bird, not 

 long from the nest and still unable to fly very well. From their 

 filthy habits they are very undesirable neighbors about houses and 

 churches, though from this statement one should not infer that the 

 birds themselves are dirty. It is the dirt they strew around that 

 makes their presence Undesirable. 



318. Passer domesticus (Linn.). English Sparrow. 

 Although commonly known as English Sparrow because this 



bird was imported from England, the true name is European House 

 Sparrow. It was first introduced to the state in 1854. when Col. 

 William Rhodes liberated specimens at Portland. (Cf. Rhodes, 

 Forest and Stream, Vol. 8, p. 165). Others were liberated in the 

 same locality in 1858, by T. A. Dtibois. (Cf. The English Spar- 

 row in N. A., p. 18). Some individuals, who thought they were 

 conferring a great benefit upon us, afterward liberated some of 

 these birds at Bangor and Lewis ton. From these centers of infec- 

 tion the curse has spread until the entire state is involved. Origi- 

 nally introduced in hopes they would exterminate injurious insects, 

 the birds have swarmed over the entire state, although confined 



