70 
SPARROWS. 
adopted the following form of circular letter, which was framed to 
elicit information from all quarters and from all interested persons :— 
“The American Ornithologists’ Union, an organisation resembling the British 
association of similar name, and including in its active membership the most 
prominent ornithologists of the United States and Canada, purposes, among other 
objects already engaging its attention, to determine as nearly as possible the true 
status in America of the European House Sparrow ( Passer domesticus), commonly 
known as the English Sparrow, in so far as the relations of this bird to mankind 
are concerned. The Union hopes to secure through the solicited testimony of 
others, as well as the personal observations of its members, the facts necessary to 
settle the question of the eligibility or ineligibility of this Sparrow as a naturalised 
resident of this country. The question of the European House Sparrow in 
America is regarded as one of great economic consequence, to be determined 
primarily by ascertaining whether this bird be, upon the whole, directly or indirectly 
injurious or beneficial to agriculture and horticulture. Its economic relations 
depend directly and mainly upon the nature of its food; indirectly upon the effect, 
if any, which its presence may have on useful native birds and beneficial insects. 
The accompanying formula of questions is respectfully submitted to the attention 
of those who may be able and willing to record statements of positive facts and 
value derived from their own experience. Concise and unquestionable answers 
returned to the undersigned on enclosed blank, or otherwise, or communicated to 
any member of the committee, will be appreciated and prove of high value among 
the data upon which it is hoped that this vexed question may be set at rest. The 
evidence thus obtained will be carefully considered by the committee in preparing 
its report to the Council of the Union, and a digest of the same, with recommenda¬ 
tions, if any, will be submitted by the Council to the mature judgment of the 
Union at its next annual meeting. The following named active members of the 
Union were, at the first congress, appointed a committee to investigate and report 
upon this subject:—Dr. J. B. Holder, of New York, chairman; Mr. Eugene P. 
Bicknell, of New York ; Mr. H. A. Purdie, of Boston, Mass. ; Mr. Nathan Clifford 
Brown, of Portland, Me.; Mr. Montague Chamberlain, of St. John, New Brunswick ; 
the committee having the power of increasing its membership at its discretion.— 
Dr. J. B. Holder, Chairman, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park, 
New York city, Feb. 2nd, 1884. 
“ Data concerning the European House Sparrow from .—1. Is the European 
House Sparrow ( Passer domesticus) known in your neighbourhood, and, if so, about 
when did it appear ? 2. Is your neighbourhood city, suburbs, or country ? 3. Is 
this Sparrow abundant ? 4. Is it increasing in numbers ? 5. How many broods 
and young, yearly, to a pair? 6. Is this Sparrow protected by law? 7. Is it 
artificially fed and housed ? 8. Does it molest, drive away, or diminish the 
numbers of native birds ? 9. If so, what species ? 10. Does this Sparrow injure 
shade, fruit, or ornamental trees ? 11. Does it attack or injure garden fruits and 
vegetables? 12. Does it injure grain crops? 13. Is it an insect-eater ora seed- 
eater? 14. What insects, if any, are chiefly eaten by this Sparrow? 15. What is 
the principal food it carries to its young ? 16. What insects, if any, are carried by 
it to its young? 17. Does the food of the old bird vary with the seasons, and, if 
so, in what way? 18. Does the food of its young vary, and, if so, how? 19. If 
any insects are eaten, are they beneficial or injurious species? 20. Does the 
Sparrow eat the larvre of the Vapourer Moth ( Orgyia leucostigma) ? 21. Does it 
eat ichneumon flies ? 22. Do you determine the nature of this bird’s food and that 
furnished by it to its young by inference, direct observation, or dissection? 23. 
