_Fringilla domestica_, LINN. Syst. Nat. 12th ed. 323, 1766. _Pyrgita
domestica_, CUV. Reg. An. 2d ed. (1829), I, 439. _Passer
domesticus_, DEGLAND & GERBE, Ornith. Europ. I, 1867, 241.
[Line drawing: _Pyrgita domestica._
18788]
SP. CHAR. _Male._ Above chestnut-brown; the interscapular feathers
streaked by black on inner webs; the top of head and nape, lower back,
rump, and tail-coverts plain ashy; narrow frontal line, lores, chin,
throat, and jugulum black; rest of under parts grayish, nearly white
along median region. A broad chestnut-brown stripe from behind eye,
running into the chestnut of back; cheeks and sides of neck white;
outside of closed wing, pale chestnut-brown, with a broad white band
on the middle coverts, and behind showing the brown quills; the lesser
coverts dark chestnut like the head stripe. Tail dark brown, edged
with pale chestnut. Bill black; feet reddish. Iris brown.
_Female._ Duller of color, and lacking the black of face and throat;
breast and abdomen reddish-ash; cheeks ashy; a yellow-ochre band above
and behind the eyes, and across the wings. Head and neck above
brownish-ash; body above reddish-ash, streaked longitudinally with
black.
_Male in winter._ The colors generally less distinct. Length, 6.00;
wing, 2.85; tail, 2.50; tarsus, .70; middle toe and claw, .60.
The House Sparrow of Europe has been introduced into so many parts of
the United States as to render it probable that at no distant day it
will have become one of our most familiar species. Brought over to the
New World within a comparatively few years, it has commenced to
multiply about the larger cities, especially in the environs of New
York, as also about Portland, Boston, Newark, and Philadelphia. The
first effort made to naturalize it about Washington failed in
consequence of the death of three hundred individuals imported by the
Smithsonian Institution. A second, however, in 1871, was more
successful. One thousand birds were let loose in the public squares of
Philadelphia in the spring of 1869. In and about Havana it is said to
be common, as also about Great Salt Lake, where it was recently
introduced by the Mormons, according to Mr. J. A. Allen.
[Illustration: _Pyrgita domestica._]
HABITS. The common House Sparrow of Europe has, within the past few
years, achieved a right to a place in the avi-fauna of North America
by its complete introduction, and its reproduction in large numbers,
in various parts of the country, from Portland, Me., to Washington
City, as also about Salt Lake.
The first attempt to introduce these birds, within my knowledge, was
made by a gentleman named Deblois, in Portland, Me., in the fall of
1858. Six birds were set at liberty in a large garden in the central
part of the city. They remained in the neighborhood through the
winter, and in the sheltering porch of a neighboring church they found
places of shelter and security. In the following spring three nests
were built in dwarf pear-trees in the garden in which they were first
set at liberty. One, at least, of these nests, was successfully
occupied, and six young birds were reared from it. A second nest, with
four young, was also hatched by the same pair. Neither of these nests
was globular in shape, but open and coarse, built of hay and straws.
These nests were taken, after their use, and came into my possession.
Since then I have been informed that these birds increased and
multiplied, and for a while were quite abundant in that portion of the
city, and a large colony of this Sparrow appeared in the winter of
1871 in Rockland, Me.
Two years later, Mr. Eugene Schieffelin, of New York, imported and set
at liberty, near Madison Square, in that city, twelve of these birds,
and this he repeated for several successive summers. In 1864, fourteen
birds were set at liberty in Central Park, by the Commissioners. Other
birds were also brought from England, by different parties, in the
Cunard steamers, and released at Jersey City. These have increased
very largely, and have spread to the adjoining cities, until these
birds have become familiar and social residents in all the large
cities and towns within an extended area around New York, as well as
in all parts of that city.
They were introduced into Boston by the City Government in 1868. Two
hundred birds were purchased in Germany, but unfortunately all died on
their passage except about a score. These were set at liberty in June,
but, weakened by their sea-voyage, several of them were found dead in
the deer-park, and the rest disappeared. The following summer more
were imported, but all died except ten. These were well cared for, and
only released when in excellent condition. For some months nothing was
seen of these birds, and the experiment was supposed to be a failure,
when it was ascertained that they had betaken themselves to the
vicinity of stables in the southern part of the city, had increased
and multiplied in large numbers, reappearing in the winter to the
number of one hundred and fifty. They were regularly fed by the city
forester each day in the deer-park, and roosted at night in the thatch
of the roofs of the buildings. Since then they have very largely
increased. About twenty, that same summer, were set at liberty in
Monument Square, Charlestown.
In 1869 about one thousand birds were imported, by the City
Government, into Philadelphia. Fortunately they came in good
condition, and being released early in May immediately separated into
scattered parties and prepared for themselves new homes. Some appeared
in Morristown and other distant towns in New Jersey. Others wandered
to Germantown, and the remoter suburbs of Philadelphia, where they
found the cherry-trees in full blossom, and where their exploits in
stripping the blooms from the trees gave a not very favorable first
impression of these new-comers.
It has been exceedingly interesting to watch the manners and habits of
these strangers in their new homes. They have become quite tame, are
fearless and gentle, and as they have been very kindly treated live in
a condition of semi-domestication. At first they built their nests,
and passed their winters, in New York, among the thick ivies that
cover the walls of so many churches, in such cases building globular
nests. As soon, however, as suitable boxes were prepared for them in
sufficient quantities, these were taken possession of in preference to
anything else.
At the time of their introduction the shade-trees in the parks and
squares of New York, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Newark, and other places,
were greatly infested with the larvæ of the measure-worms that
destroyed their foliage. Since then these worms have almost entirely
disappeared. A doubt has been expressed whether the Sparrows destroy
these insects. That they eat them in the larvæ form I do not know, but
to their destruction of the chrysalis, the moth, and the eggs, I can
testify, having been eye-witness to the act.
Apprehensions have been expressed lest these new-comers may molest and
drive away our own native birds. How this may be when the Sparrows
become more numerous cannot now be determined, but so far they
manifest no such disposition. Since their introduction into Boston the
Chipping Sparrows appear to have increased, and to associate by
preference with their European visitors, feeding with them unmolested.
I have been unable to detect a single instance in which they have been
molested, in any manner, by their larger companions. Their predatory
aggressions, however, upon the rights of the common Robin have been
noticed, and deserve mention. The Sparrows appear to be extravagantly
fond of earthworms, but not able to hunt for them themselves. They
have learned to watch the Robin as it forages for these worms, keeping
around, at a respectful distance, and as soon as one, with much toil,
has dragged a worm from its place of concealment, down swoops the bird
and impudently carries it off. The poor bewildered and plundered Robin
essays a late and vain attempt to protect its food. The Sparrow is too
nimble, and the worm is gone before its rightful owner can turn to
face the robber.
The Sparrows endure the severest of the winter weather without any
apparent inconvenience, appearing as cheerful, contented, and noisy
with the thermometer at zero as at any other time. They are quite
fearless, especially in New York, running about under the feet of the
passers-by with perfect indifference and confidence. In Boston I have
noticed their nests in convenient places, a few feet above crowded
sidewalks. In winter they come regularly about the houses to be fed.
The House Sparrow has also been introduced into Australia, where it
has become acclimated, and was, at the last accounts, rapidly
increasing in that quarter. It is likewise very common about Havana,
Cuba.
In the Old World this bird has a widely extended area of distribution,
and is resident wherever found. It is very abundant in the British
Islands and throughout the northern and central portions of Europe. In
Spain and in Italy it is replaced by two closely allied species or
races. This bird, however, is also found in North Africa, in the
Levant, at Trebizonde, and among the mountains of Nubia. Specimens
have also been received from the Himalayas, from Nepaul, and the
vicinity of Calcutta.
Both in Europe and in this country the Sparrows pair early in the
season. I have known them sitting on their eggs, in Boston, in March.
They are very prolific, have broods of five, six, and even seven at a
time, three or four times in a season. They are full of life and
animation, somewhat disposed to brief and noisy quarrels, which are
always harmless.
Their great attachment and devotion to their young is dwelt upon by
all English writers as quite remarkable. They evince a great
partiality for warmth, and even in midsummer line their nests with all
the feathers they can pick up. In New York it is a favorite amusement
with the children to carry with them to the public parks quantities of
feathers, which they throw, one by one, to the Sparrows, to witness
their amusing contests for possession.
The eggs of this bird are oval in shape, pointed at one end, with a
ground of a light ashen color, blotched, dotted, and streaked with
various shades of ashy and dusky brown. They measure from .85 to .95
of an inch in length, and from .60 to .65 in breadth.