56 WASTE-LAND WANDERINGS. 



Polygamy among certain of our birds is unquestiona- 

 ble. I have positive knowledge of this among quails, 

 and, probably, purple grakles ; and it is well known to 

 be true of that introduced pest, the European sparrow. 

 This much married condition, whatever the cause that 

 has given rise to it, continues from year to year, when 

 occurring among crows, as I have proved by patient ob- 

 servation extending over several years. I cannot speak 

 positively with reference to the quails ; but it is certain- 

 ly true of the sparrow mentioned. 



"When we come to consider the summer visitors, or 

 such species as, wintering in the south, appear in New 

 Jersey late in April or in May and remain until autumn, 

 there is abundant evidence that a considerable propor- 

 tion of them are permanently mated. Details of many 

 long series of observations are scarcely necessary. Suf- 

 fice it to say, that I have very carefully studied song- 

 thrushes, brown thrushes, cat-birds, chats, house-wrens, 

 indigo-birds, vireos of three species, and others, and that 

 the same individuals reappeared from year to year, in 

 one instance for eight years, I am fully convinced. It 

 is, indeed, hard to realize that many of these birds should 

 remain together for so long a time, when but a small 

 part of each year is spent in the rearing of the brood. 

 It is quite possible that they do not retire to other por- 

 tions of our country in company; but it does appear 

 that they part with a mutual understanding to meet 

 again when separations do take place. It is not simply 

 the same male bird or the same female that reappears 

 spring after spring, but the same pair of birds. 



In conclusion, let me call attention to a few points 



