INTRODUCTION. 



Questions relating to the English Sparrow were contained in tbe first 

 circular on economic ornithology issued by the Department of Agricult- 

 ure (in July, 1885). Subsequently these questions were amplified, and 

 during the year 188G a special circular and schedule were prepared, 

 upwards of 5,000 copies of which have been distributed. 



It has been the aim of the Department, in collecting information on 

 this question, to get as much direct, original, unpublished evidence as 

 possible, and to this end the circulars sent out asked for " facts from 

 personal observation." It was desired, furthermore, to obtain dat& 

 from all parts of the country over which the Sparrow had spread, not 

 onlj in order to map accurately its distribution, but to detect if possi- 

 ble any differences in character or habits which might be due to varied 

 climatic or other conditions. In addition, therefore, to tbe systematic 

 distribution of circulars of inquiry among the agriculturists and nat- 

 uralists of the country, requests for information were published in 

 many agricultural and scientific periodicals, as well as in newspapers 

 throughout the country, in the hope that many persons not otherwise 

 reached might become interested in the subject, and be led to detail 

 their own experience. The result has been, in the main, very gratify- 

 ing, and to date there have been received from all these sources replies 

 from about 3,300 persons, nearly two-thirds of whom report the Spar- 

 row already established in their immediate vicinity, and, with very few 

 exceptions, steadily increasing in numbers. 



The remainder of these 3,300 reports, coming principally from post- 

 masters in sections which the Sparrow has not yet reached, have been 

 used mainly in mapping the limits of its distribution. 



In addition to the material thus collected, the American Ornitholo- 

 gists' Union has turned over to the Department of Agriculture the re- 

 sults of its investigations, begun in 1883, on the eligibility or ineligibil- 

 ity of the European House Sparrow in America. This material, com- 

 prising full replies from about 110 persons, was collated and arranged 

 by Dr. F. H. Hoadley, who, from interest in the subject, kindly volun- 

 teered his services. 



Naturally, the discussion of this subject in America for several years 

 past has led to the publication., in scientific and other periodicals, of a 



11 



