342 Cincinnati Society of Natural History. 
INTRODUCTION OF EUROPEAN BIRDs. 
We are indebted to Mr. Andrew Erkenbrecher, president of the late 
Acclimation Society of Cincinnati, for the following information re- 
garding this subject. 
During the years 1872, ’73 and ’74, about nine thousand dollars were 
expended in the purchase and importation of European Birds, their 
average cost to import being about four dollars and fifty cents a pair. 
According to this estimate, some four thousand individuals were in- 
troduced, representing the following species :* 
Robin Redbreast (Hrythaca rubecula ).+ 
Wagtail (Motacilla yarrellti ?). 
Skylark (Alouda arvensis). 
Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). 
Dunnock ( Accentor modularis). 
Song Thrush ( Turdus musicus ). 
Black Bird (Merula vulgaris). 
Redwing ( Turdus iliacus ). 
Nightingale (Philomena luscinia). 
Gold Finch (Carduelis elegans). 
Siskin (Carduelis spinus). 
Great Tit (Parus major). 
Dutch Tit. 
Dipper (Cinclus aquaticus ). 
Hungarian Thrush. 
Bull Finch ( Pyrrhula vulgaris). 
Cherry Bird. 
Missel Thrush (Yurdus viscivorus). 
Corn Crake (Crex pratensis ). 
Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra). ; 
While we deem the above facts of sufficient ornithological im- 
portance to merit a record in permanent form, and can not but admire © 
the sentiment which prompted the introduction of these birds, we may 
properly, at the same time, express the opinion that the general 
principle is, zoologically speaking, a wrong one, and that its applica- 
tion is, in many instances, absolutely harmful, economically considered. 
Nature knows best how to balance her own forces ; and the animal 
and vegetable life of any country is usually equal to the capacity of 
* Vide Forest and Stream, June 4, 1874. 
+ The technical names are supplied where it is practicable to recognize the species from 
its common name.—(HpD.) 
