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European Birds in America 



When, within twenty minutes, one can 

 observe, as did the writer in Central Park, 

 on May 17, 1903, European Greenfinch, 

 European Chaffinch, European Goldfinch, 

 European Starling, and European House- 

 Sparrow, from an ornithological standpoint 

 we must surely speak of the European 

 invasion of America, instead of vice-versa. 



Although successfully introduced into 

 this country only as recently as 1890, the 

 Starling is already a very abundant perma- 

 nent resident of New York City. During 

 the winter the writer has observed, in the 

 neighborhood of Columbia University, as 

 many as a hundred individuals in one flock. 

 The bird has already extended its range for 

 a radius of some twenty - five miles about 

 New York City, and in some directions 

 probably farther. 



The European Goldfinch has not multi- 

 plied so rapidly, but careful search in 

 Central Park will seldom fail to locate a 

 few of these cheery little songsters. In the 

 winter flocks are formed and as many as 

 thirty have been seen together — also near 

 Columbia University. 



Of both the Chaffinch and the Greenfinch 

 the writer has been able to find but one 

 individual. The Greenfinch was a solitary 

 male observed in the "Ramble," Centra} 

 Park, on May 17. He was singing con- 

 tentedly and, from the perfect condition of 

 his plumage, gave no evidence of recent 

 captivity. The Chaffinch was the bird — 

 no doubt familiar to many readers of Bird- 

 Lore — which for some months has never 

 moved from one spot on the west side of the 

 park, about Eighty-fifth street. He, too, 

 is a bachelor, well meriting his Latin name 

 of Fringilla coelebs. 



Of the five European birds named, the 

 Goldfinch and the Chaffinch are the most 

 attractive. They are fortunate in possess- 

 ing beautiful plumage, sweet voices and a 

 pleasant disposition, and they build the 



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neatest little nests ; this is more than can 

 be said of the other species. However, 

 even with these attractions, it is a debatable 

 question whether they are desirable addi- 

 tions to our avifauna. The May -June 

 Bird-Lore informs us that in South Aus- 

 tralia the Chaffinch, which was introduced, 

 has already become so injurious as to be 

 regarded unworthy of protection. As for 

 the Starling, its rapid increase off^ers only 

 too evident proof that it will not be many 

 years before it gains in this country the po- 

 sition which it holds in England, in being 

 second only to its compatriot, the House 

 Sparrow, in dominion over the land. Then 

 ill will fare our Bluebirds and our Martins, 

 our Crested Flycatchers and all others that 

 nest in holes, as do the Woodpeckers of Eng- 

 land, by the persecutions of this pugnacious 

 bird. To be sure he possesses a song, but 

 ,it is third-rate at best, and the beauties of 

 his plumage can be appreciated only at 

 close quarters; let us only hope that he will 

 not, under the new conditions, change his 

 diet, which at present is chiefly insectivorous, 

 or woe betide the farmer beneath the ravages- 

 of his vast winter flocks! — C. G. Abbott, 

 Ne^ York City. 



The Carolina Wren at South Norwalk, 

 Connecticut 



After careful inquiry I feel sure that a 

 pair of Carolina Wrens that I saw April 7, 

 1900, is the first known appearance of this- 

 bird in Norwalk, Connecticut. Two win- 

 ters of watching other birds of this species^ 

 makes me certain that the first pair seen did 

 not winter, else they would have been seen 

 or heard, as their range has been restricted 

 and one was more sure of finding them than 

 any other bird. 



The spring of 1901 a pair of Carolina 

 wrens took up their abode in an old lane 

 bordered by dilapidated stone fences and 

 bush corners, and though they nested, the 

 site was not discovered. These birds- 



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