212 VERTEBRATES. 



our cities and towns. Because it is surely supplanting 

 our more desirable native birds, the student is recom- 

 mended to find a scientific use for as many specimens as 

 possible. 



Collecting, There are many ways of obtaining live 

 specimens. A few are suggested : the ingenious student 

 will devise other, and perhaps better, means. A trap, 

 consisting of a common wooden box, set with a figure-4 

 trigger, and baited with any kind of grain or with a 

 crust of bread, will usually obtain specimens, but not 



Female. Male. 



ENGLISH SPARROW (Passer domesticus). 



oftener -than once in one place. Sparrows often roost 

 in sheds and outbuildings, which may be closed after 

 dark, and all the inmates secured. When found roost- 

 ing in a vine or shrubbery, they may often be sur- 

 rounded with a large sheet, and captured within it. 



Field Study. Study the bird in its relation to nature. 

 On the street and on the lawn observe, as opportunity 

 daily offers, the habits of the bird, until you are able to 

 answer the following and related questions : 



1. Is the sparrow solitary, or sociable, in its habits ? 



2. What kind of a voice has it ? Can it properly be 

 said to sing ? Has it different notes for different occa- 

 sions, and can you discover what any of its notes mean ? 



