AVES 



237 



FIG. 2C9. Rose-breasted grosbeak. Female on the left and male on the right. 

 Photograph one fourth natural size. 



beneficial birds, consuming large quantities of noxious 



weed seeds and destructive insects. 



The English sparrow (Passer domesticus) was imported 

 from England into this coun- 

 try in 1850, and as it rears 

 four or five broods of from 

 four to six young each season, 

 the whole country has become 

 infested with the species. The 

 male is easily recognized by 

 its black throat and breast. 

 In many localities this is the 

 only sparrow seen in winter. 

 It destroys not only buds and 

 blossoms but attacks grapes, 

 berries, tomatoes, and other 

 FIG. 270. Male English sparrow. fruits, in addition to consum- 



