528 Noirni amkkican biuus. 



as Olio, with iimdi toil, liiis (Iraggod a worm from its place of concealment, 

 down swoops the bird and impudently carries it oil'. The poor bewildered 

 and pUnulored Jfobin essays a late and vain attempt to protect its food. 

 The Sjuirrow is too nimble, and the worm is gone before its rightful owner 

 can turn to face the robber. 



The S])arrows endure the severest of the winter weather without any 

 apparent inconvenience, appearing as cheerful, contented, and noisy with the 

 thermometer at zero as at any other time. They are (piite fearless, esiiecially 

 in Xew Yori<, running about under the feet of the passers-by with perfecit 

 indilference and confidence. In Boston I have noticed their nests in con- 

 venient places, a few feet above crowded sidewalks. In winter they come 

 regularly about the houses to be fed. 



The House Sparrow has also been introduced into Australia, where it has 

 become acclimated, and was, at the last accounts, rapidly increasing in that 

 quarter. It is likewise very common about Havana, Cuba. 



In the Old World this bird has a widely extended area of distribution, and 

 is resident whei'ever found. It is very abundant in the British Islands and 

 throughout the northern and centrcal 2wrtions of Europe. In Spain and in 

 Italy it is replaced by two clo.sely allied species or races. This bird, how- 

 ever, is also found in No. h Africa, in the Levant, at Trebizonde, and among 

 the mountains of Xubia. Specimens have also been received from ■:he Him- 

 alayas, from Xepaul, and the vicinity of ( "alcutta. 



Ijoth in Europe and in this country the Sparrows ])air early in the season. 

 I have known tliem sitting on their eggs, in lloston, in ]March. Tiiey are 

 very prolific, have broods of five, six, and even seven at a time, three or four 

 times in a season. They are full of life and animation, somewhat disposed 

 to brief and noisy quarrels, which are always harmless. 



Their great attachment and devotion to tlit ir young is dwelt upon by all 

 English writers as quite remarkable. They evince a great i)artiality for 

 warmth, and even in midsummer line their nests with all the feathers they 

 can pick uj). In New York it is a favorite amu.sement with the children to 

 carry with them to the public ])arks ([uantities of feathers, which they throw, 

 one Ijy one, to the Sparrows, to witness their anuising contests for possession. 



The eggs of this bird are oval in shape, jiointed at one enil, with a ground 

 of a light ashen color, Ijlotched, dotted, and streaked with various shades of 

 ashy and dusky brown. They measure from .85 to .95 of au inch in length, 

 and from .00 to .05 in breadth. 



Subfamily SPIZELLINiE.— The Sparrows. 



Char. Bill variable, usually almo.st .straight; somplimcs curved. Commissure gener- 

 ally iieai'ly .^^tniiu'lit, or sliirlitly eonoavn. Upper man(lil)le wider tlian lower. Nostrils 

 exposed. Wings modeiati' ; the outer iiriniaries not niuuh rounded. Tail variable. 

 Feet large; tarsi mostly longer than the middle toe. 



