528 NOKTII AMKKU'AN I5IUDS. 



as one, witli iiiiuli toil, has draiii^'tMl a worm from its place of concealment, 

 (.low n swoops the bird and impudently carries it oil'. The })uor l»ewil(lered 

 and i)liindereil IJohin essays a late and vain attemj)t to protect its food. 

 The Sparrow is too nimble, and the worm is gone before its rightful owner 

 can turn to lace the robber. 



The Sparrows endure the severest of the winter weather without any 

 apparent inconvenience, appearing as cheerful, concented, and noisy with the 

 thermometer at zero as at any other ^hne. They are «[uite fearless, especially 

 in New York, running about under the feet of the passers-by with perfect 

 inditference and confidence. In Jjoston I have noticed their nests in con- 

 venient places, a few feet above crowded sidewalks. In winter they come 

 regularly about the houses to be fed. 



The House Sparrow has also been introduced into Australia, where it has 

 become acclimated, and was, at the last accounts, rapidly increasing in that 

 quarter. It is likewise very common about Havana, Cuba. 



In the Old World this bird has a widely extended area of distribution, and 

 is resident wherever found. It is very abundant in the British Islands and 

 throughout the northern {nid central portions of Europe. In Spain and in 

 Italy it is replaced by two closely allied species or races. This bird, how- 

 ever, is also found in Xorth Africa, in the Levant, at Trebizonde, and among 

 the mountains of Nubia. Specimens have also been received^from the Him- 

 alayas, from Xepaul, and the vicinity of Calcutta. 



Both in Europe and in this country the Sjjarrows ])air early in the season. 

 I have known them sitting on thdr eggs, in I^oston, in ^larch. They are 

 very prolitic, have broods of five, six and e\ en seven at a time, three or four 

 times in a season. They are full of life and animation, somewhat disposed 

 to brief and nt>isy (piarrels, which are always harndess. 



Their great attachment and devotion to their young is dwelt upon by all 

 Englisli writers as quite remarkalde. Tiiey evince a great partiality for 

 warmtli, and even in midsummer line their nests with all the feathers they 

 can pick up. In Xew York it is a tavorite amusement with the children to 

 carry with them to the public parks (piantities of feathers, which they throw, 

 one by one, to the Sparrows, to witn 'ss their amusing contests ibr [wssession. 



The eggs of this bird are oval in shape, pointed at one end, with a ground 

 of a light ashen color, l)lotched, dotted, and streaked with various shades of 

 ashy and dusky brown. They measure from .85 to .95 of an inch in length, 

 and from .60 to .05 in breadth. 



Subfamily SPIZELLINiE. — The Sparrows. 



Char. Bill varialilo. usually almost straight; somotimcs curvtMl. Commissure irencr- 

 a!!y nearly straiirlit, or slighth" concave. Upper mandililc wider than lower. Nostrils 

 exposed. Wings moderate ; the outer primaries not much rounded. Tail variable. 

 Feet large; tarsi mostly longer than the middle toe. 



