A Note on the English Sparrow 1 ( Passer domesticus ). — There is consid- 
erable doubt as to the source of the early importations into this country 
of European House Sparrows, commonly known here as English Sparrows. 
It is probable, like many of our human emigrants, that the breed is of 
mixed origin, some having been brought from England, some from Ger- 
many. There are certain local differences between the birds from these 
two sources which need not be discussed here. Our only object is to 
compare specimens taken in New England between 1873 and 1886, with 
specimens taken here at the present day, and with specimens taken in 
England at the present day. 
The number of specimens is too few for deductions, but we wish to put 
certain measurements on record, as it is possible they may some time prove 
of value. A great dearth of early specimens of this un-loved bird prevails. 
Those examined are from the collections of Mr. Wm. Brewster and Dr. 
Townsend, and were all from the Boston and Cambridge region. The 
present day specimens are all from New England, for the most part from 
Arlington, Mass., while the present day English specimens were sent to 
Mr. Hardy in the flesh from the vicinity of Liverpool, England. 
The early New England specimens are striking birds, clean, with clear 
whites, blacks and chestnuts. The delicate wavy lines on the breasts 
of the females are plainly to be seen. The present day birds both from 
New England and old England are very dark and sooty, and in consequence 
lack these characteristics. The differences can be ascribed to feather 
soiling in their present sooty environments. 
The following table gives the measurements in millimeters. 
Locality, etc. 
Wing. 
Tail. 
Bill. 
Tarsus. 
New England 
1873-1886 
Average 7 S' 
“ 3 9 
. 78.00 
73.00 
56.00 
53.00 
12.64 
11.66 
14.42 
15.00 
New England 
1907. 
Average 18 S 
“ 7 9 
77.30 
75.50 
56.60 
55.50 
13.18 
12.95 
14.55 
14.28 
England 
1907 
Average 8 S' 
“ 17 9 
75.50 
72.00 
54.70 
51.80 
12.56 
12.32 
15.25 
13.94 
It is seen that the early New England specimens average about the 
same in size as the present New England specimens, except as regards 
the bill which averages about 1 mm. larger in the present day bird. The 
present day English bird averages in wing and tail from 2 to 3 mm. smaller 
than the present day New England bird. The tarsus is about the same, 
while the bill corresponds more closely with the bill of the early American 
bird in being about 1 mm. smaller. In other words it would seem that in 
the early years of struggle only the more vigorous, larger birds survived 
and that under favorable conditions the larger size was continued with 
an added increase in the size of the bill. A larger series may invalidate 
these conclusions, but they are given for what they are worth. — Charles 
W. Townsend, M. D., Boston, and John H. Hardy, Jr., Arlington, Mass. 
1 Read before the Nuttall Ornithological Club, Nov. 9, 1908. 
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