260 ANNUAL REPORT OF THI Off. Doc. 
during the wonderful irruptions of lemmings and other smali rodents 
to which some of the districts are liable, and it would appear that the 
Short-eared Owl is the species which plays a principal part in getting 
rid of the destructive horde.” (rom Fisher’s Bull. No. 5.) 
The information contained on the preceding pages concerning 
the food habits of the Short-eared Owl certainly cannot fail to show 
that this species is highly serviceable and justly merits the good will 
of the farmer and orchardist. 
The little Screech Owl, which is often unjustly blamed for destroy- 
ing young poultry, is another member of the owl tribe which should 
be protected by all, and especially by the farmer. 
The Sparrow Family. 
Over thirty species of this, the largest North American family 
(ringillidae), are found in Pennsylvania, either as residents, sum- 
mer residents, regular spring and fall migrants or casual visitors. 
Some species, especially the male Grosbeaks, also the male Purple 
Winch, Indigo-bird, Towhee, Crossbills, Junco, Red-poll and Goldfinch 
are highly colored, being conspicuously marked with either one or 
more of these colors: red, yellow, black and blue; others, in fact the 
majority, are plainly attired; the Snowflake, when found in this 
State, is showily dressed in a garb of white and brown. The eyes 
in all species other than the Towhee, which are red or yellowish, 
are brown or hazel. When breeding these birds are usually seen 
singly or in pairs, but, at other times, many of them, particularly 
the Mnglish Sparrow, Snowflake, Red-poll, etc., are to be observed in 
large flocks, and small flocks or companies of all but a few species 
which occur, here, are frequently seen in fields, woods, thickets or 
in tangled weeds, grasses and briary places about streams and bushy 
swamps. Some species are also common and familiar visitors to our 
orchards, yards and gardens, Sparrows collectively considered sub- 
sist inainly on a vegetable diet, consisting largely of divers seeds; 
but many of them, especially the English Sparrow, the Rose-breasted, 
Pine and Evening Grosbeaks, likewise the Purple Finch, the White- 
throated Sparrow and the two species of Crossbills, feed extensively 
on buds and other soft vegetable substances. The young of nearly 
all of these birds are fed largely on an insect diet, and when breed- 
ing and throughout the summer season many of the adult members 
of this extensive family also subsist to a considerable extent on 
different kinds of insect life, particularly small larvae, flies, spiders 
and numerous kinds of the smaller species of beetles. Their nests 
are built usually in bushes or trees, but some of them build on the 
eround, Nearly all of these birds sing “with,” as Dr. Coues states. 
“varying ability and effect; some of them are among our most de- 
lightful vocalists.” 
