The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-01-27
THE ENGLISH HOUSE.SPARR0W.
PasSer DomesticuS.
BY D. C. ELLIOT.

In the olden time, the records of which are
transmitted to us in the verse of inspired
men, when, in the days of the minstrel king,
the sparrow "sat alone upon the house-top," "
the sprightly creature which forms the subject
Of our present theme was, even as now, a
Well-known, familiar friend.
A cOsmopolite he is also, and many are the
lands which claim him as their own. 10
mighty Nineveh, with its miles Of streets, or
TO Jerusalem, when in all its glory, he was no
stranger, but amid their noisy thoroughfares
and crowded marts securely dwelt, as busy
with his own affairs as the most industrious Of
the higher orders around him.
No recluse is he, to shun mans presence
and seek the solitude Of the groves, or silent
paths of shady woods, where, aided by his
assiduous mate, he could build his commo-
dious nest, disturbed only by the murmur Of
the brook, and there bring up his little family
in peace; no. inaeed-the streets Of the
crowded city, the noise and hustle of countless
passers-by, the rumbliDg of vehicles, and all
the cries aud sounds which continually ascend
from within the limits which encompass the
abOdes OF men, are far more agreeable to him;
and beneath the caves Of the sta.eliest edihce,
upon the porch, or within the ivy, which,
perchanoe, may cover the walls, his nest is
placed and he makes himself at home.
srsrqon, constant NJ. IN A9 attachments, the 49,"
lar g"iLU@ iocs+ny may De siways foun the narticm
j." -.4o ne may have chosen to
uuou. Others of the feathered race, which
come TO us when the trees are blossoming, and
Nature is arrsying herself in her bridal dress
Of spring, desert their accustomed haunts,
and the spot endeared to them as the home of
their chirpipg brood, for SUMMER climes, as
soon as the chilling breath of winter is felt.
Tn44h 4ha IND 1puv co n,,I1 1ron
and the snow enwrap all the land, his CHEEKY
note will be heard in the blast, as, pulled into
the semblance of ball, he clings to his much
loved perch, happy even amid the storm.
| have called him cosmopolite, and bear
me witness if he does not deserve the appella-
tion, when l recount the lands which consider
him their Own-In Europe he is found in
England, Sweden Norway, Holland, Germany,
France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Dalmatia;
out Of Europe, in Morocco, Algeria, Egypt,
Persia, and the mountains of the Himalaya
while it is more than probable that the species
inhabitiDg the Peninsula and other portions of
India, to which another name has been given,
is only the same well-known bird.
To this long list of habitsts must now be
added that of the United States, of which,
within the last few years, our friend has be-
come naturalized citizen, as our streets tes-
tiiy every day.
First landed in Jersey City, the little
foreigners prOspered and increased, soon
attaining to the dignity of a small colony,
which dWelt in peace in the minute matched
houses provided for them. The benefit of
their presence was soon manifested by the
ammunition in number Of the me easuring- worm
(hunomoS subSignaria), that great destroyer of
our city foliage, which succumbed to the
attacks of our new-found friends. Energetic,
lnquisitive, fearless, ay, impudent, the spar.
rows would pry into every crevice in the
bark, or other hiding place, and draw out the
concealed Larvae or reluctant worm, to be
speedily devoured as a most dainty morsel
and 30 constant was their attention to these
pests OF all pedestrians, that they were soon
which the birds abode.
They were soon transported to New York
and houses provided for them in Union and
Madison Squares, whore they rapidly in
creased, and where, since their arrival, We
can perceive diminutiOn of the same pest:
which were accustomed to hang from the trees
IN repulsiVe clusters.
In England, this unfortunate bird is subject
10 all manner OF prosecutions; but in the New
world let us hope he will be received as tn,
Denefactor he really is, and treated accord
ingly.
But the question is asked:-'Is not all tn
good which the sparrow does offset by the in
Jury he effects in the destruction of grain
etcI" Doubtless, we must reply that he
not entirely guiltless, but let us not be over
nasty to condemn him, for he only takes tn
wages due for timely services we'll performed
Think, if you will my friend, how active an
important an assistant to the farmer he ha
been, when the ground was being prepare
Tor the sOwer, and afterwards, when the hVln
germ in the seed was struggling to plerC
through its hardened envelope to appear i
the tender blade. How many grubs and hur
ful insects has not your feathered friend d.
stroyed, and, through the incessantssexe
which his instinct teaches him to make, rel
dered himself the most important helper
the tiller of the soil ''The insect which th
farmer raises only to cast again into th
earth,' our little friend carries entirely away
Constantly occupied from morning until nigl
in active search for the insects which, durin
a great portion of the year, constitute almo
his only food, 1t is impossible to arrive at eve
an approximate estimate of the number
destroys or the service he renders to MAJ
Besides investigating the bark and leaves
the trees, he win inspect the fences and wal
Of the houses, and woe to any spider whiC
may be found lurking in the creviCes, for 1t
speedily withdrawn and devoured.
Very little Is required to keep the sparrow
through the winter; a few hsndfuls Of graf
occasionally thrown near their abodes is a
that ls necessary; their own energy and ceas
less activity win provide them with other foe
N AnahlA tham "a thriua