1907 Nature Study No. 42. 247 



NATURE STUDY, No. XLII. 



The Relation of Sparrows to Agriculture. 

 By L. H. Newman, B.S.A., Ottawa. 



The relation of Sparrows, as a Class, to Agriculture is very 

 little known, and people have some very erroneous ideas regard- 

 ing this relationship. 



In the first place, the fact that there are several species of 

 sparrows in this country, is known by comparatively few, and 

 thus the inroads committed by the numerous English Sparrows 

 upon our garden and field crops condemn, to a large degree, the 

 whole class. 



Now it is evident that a group of birds so abundant, so 

 widely distributed, and in such constant association with farms 

 and gardens must play an important part in rural economy, and 

 that a through investigation of their food habits would be use- 

 ful. The results of such an investigation are embodied in this 

 paper and amply demonstrate the value of the different birds to 

 the agriculturists. "A value", says Judd, "greater than that 

 of any other group of birds whose economic status has thus far 

 been investigated." 



In order that the different kinds may be easily distinguished, 

 and thereby to assist in preventing the reckless slaughter of 

 beneficial species in mistake for the more injurious English 

 Sparrows, I shall give the chief characteristics of some of the 

 common birds which are known generally as Sparrows. 



The following species are common in all parts of Ontario : 

 the English Sparrow; the Chipping Sparrow; the Vesper Spar- 

 row ; and the Song Sparrow. 



English Sparrow (Passer domesticus). 



The well-known English, or House Sparrow, is found in al- 

 most all parts of the United States and Canada. There is a 

 marked different in the appearance of the males and females 

 but both are well known to all. The note of these birds is any- 

 thing but musical. 



Throughout its range, the English Sparrow abounds chiefly 

 in towns and villages, along roadsides, and about farm build- 

 ings, it is seldom found in the open fields, except during the 

 harvest. 



The spot chosen for the nest is some hole or crevice in a wall 

 or chimney. Sometimes it is built in tree tops. The nest is very 



