CHAPTER XIX 

 THE ENGLISH SPARROW AND ITS ALLIES 



THE term " English " sparrow is somewhat of a mis- 

 nomer, for at the time it was introduced into our country 

 this bird ranged over all Europe, where it is known as the 

 house sparrow. The history of the spread of this bird 

 shows us in a vivid way what are the successful qualities 

 among birds. Originally this sparrow was conhned to 

 middle Europe, and probably made its way into Germany 

 at the time of the Romans. It has since swept all over 

 Europe, including the British Isles, and has penetrated 

 even into Siberia. It has crossed the Mediterranean and 

 is found along the Senegal River, and, probably through 

 human agency, has penetrated to the Cape. It has been 

 transplanted voluntarily by man to North America, 

 Australia, and Java. It seems to occupy among birds the 

 place taken among mammals by the rats. Crafty, pugna- 

 cious, obtrusive, thieving, dirty, it has become a nuisance 

 wherever it has penetrated. But just these pushing quali- 

 ties, combined with small size, great hardiness, a universal 

 diet, and immense fecundity, have enabled it to make its 

 way against^ all competitors. Its introduction into America 

 can only be regarded as a deplorable blunder. 



Spread of English Sparrow in America. The first im- 

 portations of the house-sparrow (Passer domesticus) to 

 North America were made at Brooklyn, New York, in 1850 



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