ENGLISH SPARROW 



Male — Top of head gray bordered with chestnut; hind 

 neck chestnut ; back black and chestnut nyxed ; wings reddish- 

 brown with white bar; tail dark above and ashy below; middle 

 of the throat and center of the breast black ; sides of the throat 

 ashy; under parts ashy. Female — Head and rump brown; 

 back streaked with yellow and black; breast grayish-brown; 

 belly light gray. Length, six and one-third inches. 



These birds were not known in this country until 1851, 

 when several pairs were brought from England and set at 

 liberty in New York City. From that beginning, they have 

 increased and spread over the whole country. In fifty years 

 they have become more numerous than any other species of 

 birds in America. Wheat, rye and oats are their special 

 delight. 



When these Sparrows were brought here, it was believed 

 that they would destroy the eggs of caterpillars which injure 

 shade trees, but they do not care much for 'such food. So far as 

 known, these birds are of little use to man. Many people think 

 that they are a nuisance. They are abundant in all the cities and 

 towns and they are now rapidly spreading to the country dis- 

 tricts to the alarm of the agriculturists. Being bom fighters, 

 they fight among themselves when they have nothing else to 

 attack. The gentler song-birds fear then! and they are driven 

 away from the cities by them. This is one reason for the 

 increase of insect pests on our shade trees in cities. It was a 

 great mistake to bring them to America. 



Their nests are built on window ledges, under sheds, in 

 cornices of houses, in trees, in fact, anyWhere that affords a 



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