Field notes on salmonella infection in greenfinches and house sparrows.

Abstract

Sanderstead, Surrey, is a wholly residential area about twelve miles south of London, adjoining open country. In winter, where food is offered in the gardens, the resident House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) are joined by flocks of Greenfinches (Carduehis c/doris) which have spent the rest of the year in the fields and hedgerows. In a garden which has been studied for five years, over 200 Greenfinches have frequently been counted feeding together and banding has shown that probably over 1000 visit the garden in the course of the winter (L. W. Cornelius, 1968. B.T.O. Ringer’s Bulletin, December). About 200 House Sparrows feed there at the peak periods of January and February.