THE HOUSE SPARROW.
INTRODUCTION.
In commencing the history of the European House Sparrow, which I have selected for the title of a work, it cannot he considered out of place to introduce the subject by a few remarks upon its position in a system of classification. "What I shall have to say under this head will be mainly derived from the investigations and studies of Dr. Coues. According to that author, the subject under consideration must be referred to
Subclass I.—AVES AËREÆ, or Insessores, Aërial Birds, or Perchers.
Of the three primary divisions constituting the class Aves, the foregoing ranks as first in importance, and highest in position. It embraces all existing species of birds down to the Gallinæ, or gallinaceous birds. A full definition of its external characters, in a work like the present, would be entirely unnecessary. Suffice it to say that, with rare exceptions, the toes occupy the same plane, and touch the same support throughout, thus adapting them for grasping, or perching. The members of this extensive group are now generally placed five orders, of which the first is the
2
