Is the House Sparrow a contemporary 'canary in the mine'? Other topics of broad interest include the reproductive and flock-foraging strategies of sparrows, and sexual selection and the function of the male badge in the species. Anderson also explores the role of the House Sparrow in disease transmission to humans and their domesticated animals.

1: TAXONOMY AND DISTRIBUTION The Genus passer The Origin of P. Domesticus Passer domesticus Distribution of the House Sparrow Range Expansion in the House Sparrow 2: EVOLUTION AND GENETICS Professor Bumpus and His Sparrows Natural Selection in Introduced Sparrows Genetics of the House Sparrow 3: ANNUAL CYCLE The Gonadal Cycle Circadian Rhythmicity 4: BREEDING BIOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGY Age at First Reproduction Mating System Timing of Breeding Nest Sites and Nests Egg Laying and Clutch Size Egg size and Composition Incubation and Hatching Nestling Growth and Survival Number of Broods and Cessation of Breeding Reproductive Lifespan Captive Breeding 5: PLUMAGES AND MOLT Plumage Description Pterylosis Molt Ptilochronology Plumage Maintenance Incubation Patch Badge Size in Males 6: FORAGING BEHAVIOR AND FOOD Foraging Strategy of the House Sparrow Diet of the House Sparrow 7: SOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND VOCALIZATIONS Vocalizations Displays Communal Roosting 8: POPULATION DYNAMICS AND MOVEMENTS Decline in House Sparrow Numbers Predation Parasitism and Disease Interspecific Competition Changes in Agricultural Practices Survival Rates The Sex Ratio Conundrum Movements Where Have All the Sparrows Gone? 9: ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY Integrumentary System Skeletal System Muscular System Nervous System Endocrine System Circulatory System Respiratory System Digestive System Excretory System Reproductive System Body Mass and Composition 10: HUMAN COMMENSALISM AND PEST MANAGEMENT Obligate Commensal? Pest Status Pest Management Positive Impacts of Sparrows Sociology of Sparrows Appendix Literature Cited Index

"The author's knowledge of the house sparrow is extensive. He not only does a formidable job of summarizing the vast amounts of available information, but also highlights areas where data are still lacking."--The Quarterly Review of Biology Biology "Remarkable book ... If you have any interest in the biology of this quintessential 'little brown bird', still an enigma in many ways, then Biology of the Ubiquitous House Sparrow is an absolute must."--IBIS "Extensive in breadth and impressive in depth, is a welcome addition..."--Journal of Field Ornithology "This book is as thorough a treatment of a single species as could be imaged. ... an ideal text for a graduate seminar." --CHOICE "Remarkable book ... If you have any interest in the biology of this quintessential 'little brown bird', still an enigma in many ways, then Biology of the Ubiquitous House Sparrow is an absolute must."--IBIS "Extensive in breadth and impressive in depth, is a welcome addition..."--Journal of Field Ornithology "This book is as thorough a treatment of a single species as could be imaged. ... an ideal text for a graduate seminar." --CHOICE