rsd 
1879. | Zoölogy. o 
The principal characters which seem to distinguish the form 
here figured from others, are the robust basal joints of the legs 
and the long tenant hairs of what are probably the first tarsal 
joints; though I am not sure that these are specific characters, 
and it will be impossible to decide until the group has been spe- 
cially studied. Meanwhile, the figure of the above-described 
Phytoptus, observed by me, may be of use to some specialist 
interested in revising the group. — Sohn A. Ryder. 
Tue ExGLISH Sparrow (Passer domesticus)—Every fact touch- 
ing the relations of the English sparrow to our native birds 
should be put upon record, to the end that a just conclusion may 
be reached in regard to its character. During the present month 
(June, 1879) Hon. Wm. H. Upson, of Akron, called my attention 
to the fact that a box erected for birds in his yard had, in the 
Spring, been occupied by the sparrows; that the house-martins 
had taken forcible possession, driven out the sparrows and were 
then occupying the box, which the sparrows were constantly 
endeavoring to regain. Going to his grounds I found one of the 
Martins sitting as a sentinel at the door of the box, and in a few 
minutes the sparrow appeared with materials for nest-building in 
its bill, hanging around apparently waiting for an opportunity to 
enter the box ; it never tried to enter while the martin was sitting 
in sight at the door, but as soon as the passage seemed clear, 
made the attempt; it was every time driven away by the martin. 
I watched the controversy for an hour, during which many 
attempts were made to gain possession. The sparrow never 
called for re-inforcements, but twice the martin gave a sharp call 
which brought several others to his assistance. It was very 
evident that the martin was able co hold the fort. 
Mr. Upson has many trees and much thick shrubbery in his 
yard, and although his grounds are in the city of Akron, they 
are filled with a large variety of our native birds, and he reports 
that they are all fully able to take care of themselves in the pres- 
€nce of the sparrow, but suggests that in large numbers the spar- 
rows may induce a bird famine, and in that way alone tend to 
diminish the number of our native birds. 
Prof. Elizur Wright, of Mass., was the guest of Mr. Upson at 
the time of my visit, and was much interested in the controversy 
betweentthe sparrow and the martin. He stated that in his 
grounds at Medford, near Boston, the sparrows from the city 
attempted to take possession of boxes erected for the blue birds 
and the white-breasted swallow, but were driven away from the 
s and off from the grounds by these native birds. He 
