eter. Opposite this entrance is another door which leads to a smaller room, and in this, at the present 
writing, are four half-grown Sparrows. The first room was probably used for a previous brood. 
EGGS : 
The complement of eggs varies from four to six ; the ground-color of the shell is tinted faintly with 
grayish-blue, and upon this ground occur spots, blotches, and speckles, and also occasionally coarse lines 
of sepia. Some eggs are pretty evenly and thickly marked. Some are marked principally at the base, 
and others are evenly but sparingly dotted and blotched. There is, however, much more uniformity in 
the eggs than would be expected under the circumstances. They measure in long-diameter from .85 to 
.95, and in short-diameter from .60 to .65. A common size is about .88 x .61. 
DIFFERENTIAL POINTS : 
See Table. 
REMARKS : 
Fig. 2, Plate LIV, represents three eggs of the English Sparrow of the usual sizes, shapes, and 
markings. The center egg is perhaps the commonest size and pattern. 
As the House Sparrow is not one of our native birds, and as the nest varies so much on account of 
the species’ semi-domestication, only the eggs are here illustrated. About fifteen years ago the first suc- 
cessful attempt was made to start a colony of House Sparrows in an Eastern city. A few years later 
other colonies were started in several Atlantic towns, and from this small beginning, the country is to-day 
overrun with this pugnacious little foreigner. In Ohio it is no longer limited to the cities, but is found 
in every village as well, and it is not uncommon to see large flocks of young birds hunting the country 
fields for food, or resting on some roadside fence. 
Much has been written against this remarkable bird, as well as much in its favor. That it is of 
some value in destroying noxious insects can hardly be denied, but it is also true, I think, that it pre- 
fers other food, and generally gets its living from the streets and yards, rather than from the trees. It 
seems to be peaceable enough with other birds, but quarrels some with its own species. It frequently 
takes possession of a Martin-box, and has its nest constructed when the Martins arrive, but in every in- 
stance that I have observed the Martins have easily repossessed their home and turned the Sparrows out 
in the cold. I can not see that our native birds have diminished any in number since the Sparrow has 
become so plentiful ; certainly the food supply of the insectivorous birds has not been perceptibly dimin- 
ished. The greatest objection to the new-comer is that he is a dirty and noisy little fellow and is inclined 
to keep the fronts of our houses unclean. To counterbalance these disadvantages, he has some good quali- 
ties, among which may be mentioned his cheerfulness during the cold, bleak months of winter, when most 
birds are quiet, and but few have the hardihood to show themselves at all. ' 
The English Sparrow is very watchful of its nest and is very attentive to its young. At times it is 
brave and fearless, and many true and touching instances of its care and affection might be related if the 
length of this article were not already drawn out. Whatever sins may be laid at the door of this 
Sparrow, it must not be forgotten that he did not come here uninvited. In fact, it nearly broke his heart 
to leave his native land, but having recovered from homesickness he began to show qualities of pluck 
and endurance which challenge all bird history. And now, whether we like him or not, he cares but little; 
all the means which can be used to exterminate him will not avail. He came against his will, but he 
now likes this free country, and he is prepared to stay. 
192 
