CHAPTER XV 

 BIRDS 



The English sparrow. — Wc have already studied 

 (Cliapter V) the external parts of a bird, the English 

 sparrow, and have thus become acquainted with the 

 superficial characteristics of a bird's bod}'. The life-his- 

 tor}' and habits of the sparrow can also be readily ob- 

 served, and will serve as an introduction to the study of 

 the life-history of more interesting birds. 



The English sparrow was first introduced into the 

 United States in 1850, and since that time has rapidly 

 populated most of the cities and towns of the country. 

 On account of its extreme adaptabilit}' to surroundings, 

 its omnivorous food-habits, and its fecundity, it survives 

 where other birds would die out. It also crowds out and 

 has caused the disappearance or death of other birds more 

 attractive and more useful. The sparrow annually rears 

 five or six broods of 3'oung, laying from six to ten eggs 

 at each sitting. Unmolested a single pair would multi- 

 ply to a most astonishing number. It has, however, 

 many enemies, most common among them perhaps being 

 the " small bo)'," but birds and mammals play the chief 

 part in the destruction. The smaller hawks prey upon 

 it, and rats and mice destroy great numbers of its youn"- 

 and of its eggs whenever the nests can be reached. The 

 sparrow is omnivorous and when dri\'en to it is a loath- 

 some scavenger, though at other times its tastes are for 

 dainty fruits. Its senses of perception are of the keenest- 



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