RELATIONS OF BIRDS TO GARDENS 297 



and the Junco — have similar feeding habits. They are 

 especially useful as destroyers of the seeds of weeds. In 

 this respect, however, they are probably surpassed by the 

 related sparrows that do not live so much upon the ground. 

 These include the Tree Sparrow, the Goldfinch, the White- 

 crowned Sparrow, the White-throated Sparrow, and the 

 Snowflake. These are preeminently seed eaters, and they 

 undoubtedly destroy thousands of tons of weed seeds every 

 year. 



The bird commonly known as the EngUsh Sparrow 

 was brought into America from Europe in 1850 and again 

 three years later. These birds were imported because it 

 was thought that they would assist in the suppression of 

 the cankerworm, an insect very destructive to the leaves 

 of shade trees. After their introduction they thrived and 

 spread rapidly, being carried by man from city to city so 

 that before many years they were very generally distrib- 

 uted. 



English sparrows are by preference city birds; they utilize 

 all sorts of crevices about buildings for nesting and roost- 

 ing purposes, and hve upon a great variety of food. From 

 towns they gradually disperse through the surrounding 

 country, congregating about farm buildings. They breed 

 rapidly, and have few enemies. When well fed, they can 

 stand very cold weather without injury. 



As a destroyer of nojrious insects, this sparrow has been 

 generally, though not always, a failure. There are also 

 many misdemeanors charged to him. It is known that he 

 habitually destroys the buds and blossoms of trees, and at- 

 tacks ripening fruit of many kinds, as well as peas on the 

 vines and seeds in the soiL Grains in the field are also 

 devoured by the sparrows ; houses are made filthy by their 

 presence; and native birds are driven away by them. 



