306 BIRDS OF THE FARM AND THE FARM-YARD. 



Sparrow family, through granivorous for the most part, 

 it destroys great quantities of grubs and insects during 

 its breeding - season, which continues several months. 

 Other circumstances that render the bird valuable are 

 its domesticated habits, its permanent residence, and its 

 proneness to live and multiply in the city as well as the 

 country. The little Hair Bird, which is far more inter- 

 esting and musical, is not a permanent resident, and can- 

 not, from its habit of breeding in trees, become inured to 

 the city. Perhaps, therefore, it need not be feared that 

 the multiplication of the House Sparrows will diminish 

 the number of our native birds. But I cannot, while 

 dwelling on this subject, avoid the reflection that since 

 our people are resolutely bent on the destruction of our 

 native birds, it may be fortunate that there exists a for- 

 eign species of such a character that, like the white-weed 

 and the witch-grass, after being once introduced, they can- 

 not by any possible human efforts be extirpated. When 

 all our native species are gone, we may be happy to hear 

 the unmusical chatter of the House Sparrows, and gladly 

 watch them and protect them, as we should, if all the 

 human race had perished but our single self, welcome the 

 society of orang-otangs. 



I am pleased to learn that Dr. Brewer does not fear 

 that their introduction will cause any evil to our native 

 birds. If I were entirely satisfied of the correctness of 

 his opinion, I should say welcome to the little intru- 

 ders. They are at least valuable by affording amuse- 

 ment to children who are confined to cities, and who may 

 watch and feed them where, if they were absent, but few 

 other birds would be seen. But I will leave the House 

 Sparrow to treat of a far more interesting family of birds, 

 the common Domestic Pigeon. 



