526 NOimi AMKRICAX lUllDS. 



liowcver, in 1871, was mnre sucocssrul. One, thnusiiiid liinls wciiv let loose 

 in the imlilic sciiuircs of riiiladclpliiii in tliu spring of ISd!). In and about 

 Havana it is said to l)o coninioii, as also about (ireat Salt Lake, wjiero it 

 was locently introduced by the Murnions, according to ^Ir. J. A. Allen. 

 Habits. The coiamon House .Simrrow of Europe has, witliin the jiast few 



yoar.s, achieved a right to a place in the 

 avi-liuina of Xorth America by its com- 

 plete introduction, and its reproduction in 

 large miniliers, in various parts of the 

 country, from Portland, ^le., to Washing- 

 ton City, as also al)out Salt Lake. 



The tir.st attem])t to introduce these 

 Ijirds, within my knowk'dge, was made 

 bv a gentleman named Deblois, in I'ort- 

 i',r,',t„ ,/o„usnr„. liind.'Me,, in tiie fall of 1S.-.8. Six birds 



were set fit liberty in a large garden in the central part of the city. 

 They remaineil in the neighborhood through tiie winter, and in the siiel- 

 teriug porch of a neighlioring church they found ])laces of sheltei' and 

 security. In the following sju'ing three nests weie l)uilt in dwarf pear- 

 trees in the garden in which tliey were lirst set at lilierty. One, at 

 least, of these nests, was suci'essl'ully ()ccupie<l, and si.x young birds were 

 reared from it. A second nest, with four young, was also hatcheil by the 

 same i)air. Neitlier of tiiese nests wiis glolinlar in shape, but open and 

 coarse, built of Iriy and straws. Tliese nests were taken, after their use, and 

 came into my ])os.session. Since tluni I k.ave been informed tliat these birds 

 increased and multiplied, and for a while were (piite almnelant in that portion 

 of tlie city, and a large colony of this Sparrow appeared in the winter of 

 1871 in liockland, V..^ 



Two years later, Mr. Kugene ScJiielfelin, of Xew York, ini])orled and set 

 at liberty, near Madison S(piare, in that city, twelve ol' tlii^se birds, and this 

 he repealed for several successive summei's. In 180-1, fourteen birds were 

 set at lil)erty in t'ential Park, by tht; Conimissioners. Other birds were also 

 brought from Kngland, by ditfereut ])arties, in the Cunard steamers, and re- 

 lea.se(l at .'ersey City. These liave increased very hirgely, and have sju'ead 

 to tiie adjoining cities, until these liinls have become familiar and .social resi- 

 dents in all the large citit'S and towns within an e.xtentled area around New 

 York, as well as in all parts of that city. 



Tliey were introduce(l into liostou by the City C.overnnu'ut in 1S()8. Two 

 hundred birds were ]iurchased in (leniiany, Imt unfortunately all died on 

 their passage exce]it al)out a score. These were set at lilierty in .Fune, but, 

 weakened by tlieir sea-\dyage, several of them Mere found ilead in th(! deer- 

 park, and the rt!st di.sappeared. The I'ollowing sunnner more were imported, 

 hut all died e.xcejit ten. These were well cared for, and oidy released 

 Avheu in excellent condition. For .some months nothing was seen of these 



