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The European Tree Sparrow 
| in the Western Hemisphere — 
| Its Range, Distribution, Life History 
by G. MICHAEL FLIEG 
Curator of Birds, Brookfield Zoo 
This manuscript was written to fulfill the requirements of a 
zoology problems course at the University of Missouri under Dr. 
William H. Elder, Rucker Professor of Zoology, in January 1962. 
However, the range of the European Tree Sparrow has since 
expanded north at least to Bloomington, IIl., and a specimen 
has recently been taken at Milwaukee. Surely, many readers 
can fill in other areas of northern expansion. If so, please send 
the information to Dr. William H. Elder, Stephans Hall, Uni- 
versity of Missouri, Columbia, since he is keen to have this 
information for his records. 
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The European Tree sparrow (Passer montanus) is a species unique in the 
western hemisphere to the St. Louis area. Until about 1960 it was found 
only within a 50-mile radius of St. Louis with two exceptions, but in recent 
years it has extended its range in a northeasterly direction to such a 
degree that revision is necessary. The purpose here is fourfold: 1) to re- 
view the former range and distribution, and to make subsequent revisions 
to bring it up to date. 2) To discuss the causes and methods of range ex- 
tension since its introduction in 1870. 3) To compare the habits of this 
population with that of its old world stock. 4) To review all pertinent 
literature and report on other aspects of this species’ life history in the 
St. Louis area as determined by local observations. 
The European Tree Sparrow was 
introduced into Layfayette Park, 
in suburban South St. Louis on 
sparrows became established in 
this area principally because of the 
proximity of the breweries. This 
April 20, 1870. Kleinschmidt, a bird 
dealer, and Daenzer, a prominent 
citizen, released some 20 to 32 
birds along with some other old 
world finches. Twenty pairs of 
House Sparrows (Passer domesti- 
cus) were also liberated at this 
time (McKinley 1960:21). 
In 1870 the southside was a sub- 
urban residential district, as the 
boundary of strict urbanization was 
Grand Avenue (Plate 1). The tree 
supply of stored grain was easily 
obtainable as well as plentiful 
(Jonese 1942:5). By 1877 these 
birds were well established, and 
many bird boxes were set out to 
attract them. These houses were 
readily occupied, although in their 
native land of Germany or in Eng- 
land this would indeed be a rarity 
(Jones 1952:5). It was in this year 
that the House or English sparrow 
reached the downtown St. Louis 
