236 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 
reddish-brown, black-streaked; but crown, rump, etc., ashy. 
Forehead, lores, and throat, black; other under parts, brownish 
or grayish. 9. Without black on the head; brown of the 
back rather grayish. 
(b). The eggs are often somewhat elongated, the length 
being about ‘85 of an inch, and the breadth sometimes no more 
than °55. They are dull white, or grayish, marked with ashy, 
and sometimes purplish or dark brown. These markings are 
commonly spread over the egg numerously and evenly. 
(c). The House Sparrows, or, as they are better known to 
Americans, the English Sparrows, have been introduced into 
the United States within twenty years, and into Boston within 
ten years. They are now abundant in many cities and towns, 
but the wisdom of their introduction is greatly to be doubted. 
They are extremely prolific, and it is not improbable that a 
pair may often produce thirty young in one year, for they begin 
to build their nests even in winter. This disproportionate in- 
crease, and their tyrannical disposition, render them dangerous 
to our birds, many of whom they have already driven from 
Boston Common. So long, however, as they confine them- 
selves to their present haunts, and do not invade the country, 
they will not be insufferable. As to their value, though it is 
said that they have greatly checked the ravages of canker- 
worms, they are very destructive to fruit-blossoms, and they 
are now too pampered by luxury to be efficiently useful, being 
constantly provided with food and with lodgings. They: are 
regardless of cold,.and nearly so of man, but, except in their 
familiarity, they possess no charms, being unmusical. 
(d). Their only notes are chirps or twitterings, which may 
be almost constantly heard. 
XXV. PYRGITA 
(A) morrana. Tree Sparrow.76 Mountain Sparrow. * 
7®Not to be confounded with the American Tree Sparrow, XIV, B. Several 
other European birds, such as the Serin Finch, and Goldfinch of that country, are 
said to have occurred. in Massachusetts, but they were, almost without doubt, . 
escaped from cages. , 
