FOREST AND STREAM: 



307 



of Miocene time. The top of the skull supports an enormous 

 sagittal Brest, fur i.iu- :iit.:H-.iinii-ni. of the biting Druscles, a&xl, 

 although the skull was large, the bruin, as in all Eocene mam- 

 mals, was very small. 



iJri/phiibni, the last of the animals described, belongs to 

 the lately discovered anil remarkable order, Tillodontia. In 

 this order, which was announced by J'rol'. Marsha short turn; 

 ago, the characters of several dilVercnt groups of mammals 

 are united, anil I lie animals composing it are thus ipiile un- 

 like anything known at the pt'osenl, day. All the genera of 

 the order arc clltU'actblfeofl by lliige inctsof teeth, giowiafl 

 from persistent pulp like those Of the rodents of to-day. 

 These teeth in DraT/UK^cm are of enormous size, and measure 

 in antero-posterior diameter at the alveolus, or point Where 

 they emerge from the jaw, not less than an inch and a quar- 

 ter, "tfliese monstrous teeth extend hauls through the jaw 

 under three of the premolars. 



We see, then, that the paleontologists have at last discov- 

 ered the four-toed horse, the existence of which was predict- 

 ed some years ago j and we may confidently look forward to 

 a not distant day when we shall I.e. introduced to a five-toed 

 equine which Shall form the immediate link between the first 

 ol the horses and the tapiroid perissodactyles of the earliest 

 Eocene. We see, too, how the unremitting labors of years 

 have brought, and arc still bringing to light an infinite variety 

 ol new forms, of the existence of which no conception was 

 had until they were discovered. TfteSG Sttahge creatures, 

 Standing, as most of llteru still do, alone, seem veritable 

 monsters: but we may feel sure that, as the knowledge of 

 the vast subject which we are discussing becomes more and 

 more extended, each of these wonderful animals will be found 

 to have his place in the system of life, and that finally the 

 " missing links " having all been supplied, the grand plan of 

 nature will at last be clearly revealed. 



hurch stcepl 



color, upon 

 e left to tal, 

 th the pare 



during th 

 iriug the nig 



THE STARLINGS IN CENTRAL- PARK. 



hoMf. IIISPAKAGIX'G COMMENTS AftOt'T THE SBABKflWS, 



THE City of New York is greatly indebted to the American 

 Acclimatization Boeifity for the setting at liberty a large 

 number of common starlings (StoMlMS vulyai j i«) in the Central 

 Park. This bird, which is to be found in almost every pari of 

 Europe, is a little larger than our robin, with a plumage 

 shaded purple anil green. From the moment of leaving the 

 nest il begins to manifest its bright and joyous disposition by 

 singing merrily all day, no matter how iuclemeni the weather, 

 nor how scanty its supply of food, leaching us a lesson of con- 

 tentment more effectually than, could some of our greatesl 



philosophers. 



W, A. (Jont.lin, Esq., Superintendent of Central Park, gives 

 us some interesting facts respecting the habits of this bird, lie 

 says : 



"The starling builds'itsncst in the early spring, in trees, de- 

 scried houses and 

 eggs, of a light blvu 

 days. The young a 

 short time, and \\ 



flocks. Hying about during" the clay and 

 or in beds i J ret 1 



mankind by these little songsters cannot lie tooirighlv esti 

 They clem- the gardens ami fields ol snails, worms. 

 , i is. caterpillars, etc.. di.-*>laviug in the performs 

 this work an amount of patience and skill almost inci 

 It is stilted that a single young starling will consult 

 worms or insects in fourteen hours out of the twenty-foi 

 in the part of Germany where this Calculation was 1 

 was estimated that the 180,000 birds which compo; 

 flock cleared the ground of not less than 12,000,000 snr- 

 worms daily. 



It is a very sociable bird, flying in the 

 and jackdaws, and fond of mimicking 

 birds! In captivity it learns rendib 

 One has been known to repeat the L 

 out missing a word. It breeds regularly it 



We believe that the starlings are vastly, u 

 destroyers tiinn the sparrows, which ha.ve 

 a good retold for themselves since their 

 They are vastly more amertaining and 

 selves, besides being more civil I 

 voluminous correspondence relating lo the i 

 which we present as a testimony to convict or defend, as its 

 weight may incline the jury to decide. 



Editoh Fokest and Stkeam: 



We wish lo add our mite to the much mooted "Sparrow 

 question," which was brought to our notice in the last issue of 

 your patter. Having had ample facility for jndgingof the 

 merits ami demerits of this bird, we would say a few words 

 tending to prove the inadvisability of allowing them to increase 

 in such a ratio as has taken place since their first introduction 

 to this country. 



As a eilv scavenger and destroyer of some classes of the nox- 

 ious insect's which infest the shade trees of our public parks, 

 they do very well, for 'tis best, perhaps, with this object, to 

 forego the presence of what few of our native birds were for- 

 merly accustomed to live in these noisy centres. The verdict 

 of Mr. Galvin, of Boston, to the contrary notwithstanding, the 

 fact still exists that where the English sparrows eongregitie or 

 1 treed in numbers, there soon our native birds are" wanting. 

 We have time and again witnessed the fierce pugnacity of the 

 imported birds. 'Among themselves Ihcv arc" exceedingly 

 quarrelsome, but let a bird of a. different genus but show him- 

 self, and the fury of the whole sparrow community is turned 

 upon the helpless interloper; they chase hint hither and thither, 

 giving him no rest, until be is banished from the neighborhood, 

 The sparrows pn ter the city streets, where their repulsive 

 food is plentv, and select the public parks for breeding, but 

 their marvellous increase has driven hordes of litem out. to 

 the surrounding suburbs, where their presence is not, needed, 

 the numberless insectivorous and worm eating natives general- 

 ly being there amply sufficient to cope with the vermin. We 



tils arid 



company of crows 

 lite sound of other 

 o speak and sing. 

 rd's Prayer with- 

 the London parks, 

 ire useful us worm 

 certainly not made 

 introduction here. 

 rrterestiog in them- 

 We append a. 



in Is 



have in mind a locality on the banks of the Hudson, not many 

 miles from the heart of New York Oily, a spot noted for its 

 fores! n « and plcturcstjue loveliness. A very few ye 



il was the abiding place of many of out most ntclod'ious song 

 birds. The wood thrush sent his metallic nott r1 Igins fr an 

 the tail oak and hemlock, the rohins, scnrhtl taring i oriole 

 and a host of others, made ihe woodRring with theirsongs, 

 or enlivened tic scene with flu t brilliant plumage. 



The English sparrow, ovei flowing from the city, made his 

 ill-oineiieil appearance: witlliu six months, Ihe harsh nevcr- 

 ceasinc chirp tilled the air from morning until night, and Our 

 native birds bt mm to be heard and seen in loss numbers. The 



the numbers of out othcryearlj visitants, T 



the neighbors soon vented itself on the useless usurpers and 



they were, by being killed and having their nests broken 

 en itp, soon driven off, aud at the present time, two yews 

 .since ihe banishment of the English buds, the native and ab- 

 original avi-fauna of that region are as plenty (IS tiny ever 

 were. The sparrows breed nearly the year through, and their 

 rate of increase is equalled by that of no other bird*. Can noi- 

 some Stops be taken lo confine the in to the cities where alone, 

 if anywhere, they tire needed V K.vaiox. 



litioiiKt.v:,', fans i 



Eiirroit Fokest and fcTKHAM anh lion and Own • 



It is with great interest that, I have read carefully the different, eon- 

 t re vi i -a i -; n ■- 'il',;:- in,, iMr-i i,. a -;,,;,,■!,,«.,, t.ntti in I lie ilailv aai I sport- 

 ing journals. The result, of personal observation Urm lea tnotottflTer 

 greatly from :Mr.(;alv!ti and, ntnera regarding the peaceful propensities 

 or the sparrow. I think (lite following will ' fnterosl I 



I had In my garden a small Virginia creeping vine. I lie haunt of many 

 sparrows, and although tlioy played" among as foliage ihey QEverunlit 



a nesl in II mi account of Its close prcxunily to I he ItOuBC. Ill 1 lie autumn 

 lite berries of ihis vine turn purple, ami diltcrcnt birds, used to eonie 

 there for them. One llhj as I was admiring ttre.oontmsl be ivei n the 

 e there came a tine: big brown tlirnsh. lie picked 



berries tint! tliefi 

 a berry, ami to ni.v surprise lie swalli 

 In -a few minutes lie picked a sec 

 ahimt, to take a fourth i lea frame a il 

 siieii as loaf aroiimi tim streets and 

 was a hasty one. 1 noticed tins in ) 

 size of tile thrush. 



Not. long alter, on a nice, lialmy mi 

 tim greatest to.ubletliilt I ever heard 

 litis same vine. [ watched a few tiituut 



nd i 



yellow l.ir.l, i 

 1 could nor Oil 

 suit after it. 

 Slavics of so 

 any other bin 

 lSntol' all tin 

 against the so 

 tacks of these 



il uppc 



•,„! to be reUmv, 



>9. Andtliesau 

 nee that; the spa 



ship them a 1 home again, a 



New York tliim J. II. Batty, i 



Thomas Brewer have noL pe 

 I would reeumnicint l.heiu to I 

 Tours truly, 



Enrroit Fobest and Htkham 

 luyour last issue ; aSK I" 



hring Eng 

 ire atiuitt it 



a ..t this jo 

 W.tr. Wau 



t, three pairs lo this city and planted them 



n daylight, arid eooliiiiie it, until the sun 

 ii guest of fi .oil. -1. They are great COT 

 iliuust incredible amounts ol vegetable. 



aduriu 



the 



T. 1 liave watc.hci 

 other birds, and w 



feeding from the 

 iug in the same 1 

 feet of the rol.ii 



r inli- 



ne h 



leiuselves,! have seen them 

 ited fort.heir use aud imih- 

 uul hatching Within mi ■ ■■■ 

 have oiiserved a collision 

 If there was an,' spei ial 

 e birds I am sure I would 

 ps tltu.t if m almost impo- 

 und thai i',tili'i[,ni,ii> and 



"iou» aud do not migrate, but Seek oni, ami Inhabit those localities where 

 they can tlnel the best ii'-cemmodatioiis, They evidence; i heir gratitude 



tor winter feeding by their eonstantpreBenueane vigilant search for 



hirvitniid gi'iilisou trees aud lawns adjacent to the pluc.es where rood 

 is aililleiallv supplied ilicm. 12. I am able lo roiillrmlhe observation 



1 I Ivin.or Mosl concerning the habits of Ihespurroiv in lloiliug 



I "'' IwUl in-i" ", Him attack the apple, pear, cherry anil other fruit, 



'- " "•• I BrSl thought, that they were destroying the Iruit eei t,e. 

 lie When alluthei'idnls have, migrated to more genial ami sutmy climes 



; " sparrowr lins tlie sole represontattve ot tlte teieiicred fumily, to 



cheer the winter landscape and enliven by their plaintive monotonr- 

 siin-iln: city dooryar.l. 14. They prefer to build their nests in .small 

 boxes placed fifteen or twenty feel, above the ground on trees in public 

 Mie.ss, watts orgrouiids. When asiujlficnl .number of these arc not 



tdthey win build in hollow cointecs, biactcis, winnow eips, or 



on projections ol' any character 011 the walls, or under 1 lie evesof houses 

 —always selecting the front, or most public exposure. In these 

 localities they, from their noise aud droppings, often, become great 

 sources of snni yani e. 11. u. C.uikv. 



AidtenosuKs, Jiaii eVWT. 



SDI i'oi. I'enKST and Stream: 



My place is live miles: soul It of Newark, and tor many years the bug 

 pests iiifcrfereil with my plants and trees, so 1 cultivated the sparro 

 uutil it is a regular thing tor about liny 10 share my chickens' bad at 



Willi! 



fourti 



ml s 



•It if the 1 

 made for 

 rue I had 



acked 1 



t have 



peeking into a house, and finding a fatuity, 

 there before them; but: they had plenty of hi 



reu, they 



saw any 

 no every 



t like it- 



one year 



veil up, nii'l how 1 have around me live or six 

 nevef ml crl en-el with tim outer birds, aud I have 

 ITloWg, -pui-ows. wicns, thrushes, kmgbir.l, chip- 



13 rose bushes, pea vines n nm trees clearer 



ml buas. 'I'O.' largest rtli.ii:' i.-, done l.y ihe siiar- 

 111 comfortable in payment. 8 'ine winters f have 

 bn feri -spring 1 find the barn owls tninthem 



ii"i !"<i Okie, when 1 heir services are v. anted'. 



yours truly, E , 



Tenaitv, N. J,, .lane 8, lsir. 



the yard, ami iiiid their prescuc ales 



other birds. We have sixteen varieties 



writing, viz., brown thrush, robins, cat 

 iluebirds, phojbe-hiid, ouecuo, king-bird 

 cat kinds. We lind the most ipiarreleome 



ei-ioii-. These last ire chasing almost 



an extent that we were compelled t ) kill 



a large tiock feed wiilt the chickens, 

 gs from wheal, and tiicy will hardly eat 

 it In this seel ton. Sonic of t|, neigh- 

 11 this account. 1 think they dostrovaii 



youtig, bm a 



Wild 



the; 



the 1; " asc-u.g worm, and very few other birds. 

 Hi v 11 ■'„ -y,'- Instance of robins building m strmigenlaeea. We 



le.t\ e a pair which have I mi II their nest on the crossbeam of au unitu- 

 Islied, roofless hoaae near here, and laid Hoar eggs. The U csl is en- 

 tirely unprotected in. in the sun and ran.. Another pair have built in 

 an old barn ..n Ihe window frame, a:., ,111 thirty led, rroiu the ground, 

 and are nude:- a tight roof. 'The theory is they do it to get away from 

 crows and birds which steal I heir eggs and young. Kliu AVinc 



Boston, .Tune 3, 1377. 



unduly on the sparrow question, which 



Isclf, but your Indianapolis eorrcsponil- 



KillTOll t'OKKST AND STKK 



I do not wish to bore y 



nu, a' the head of 

 fled runt UieapBF- 

 oJ all I lie birds of 

 nd the children fn 



wrow not extent. 



11. 1 director of that 



nididiaiile words 01 rn-vnsi. t| l(l1 «n airricnltiirisi can lake the lite 

 ol any bird, without doing that which will be sure lo work injury to 

 himself." Thomas M. Brtiavim. 



CAJvinnixiGK, Mass., June 4, 1877. 

 Worron Ii'okksi' and Stuisam ; 



You aak in your issue of May 31 for evidence about the 

 English sparrows in this country. The objections to them 

 are these .- 1. They have no personal attractions except their 

 lameness. 2. They are practically useless, and are no longer 

 needed, fn Cambridge, those trees -which are properly tarred 

 have no canker-worms on them, because the female moth is 

 wingless, and, if prevented from ascending the trunk, can- 

 not lay her eggs near leaf-buds. Many others of the elms 



