SOCIETY OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS. 345 



Instead of the number of song birds diminishing in our city, 

 it is a well-known fact that the number is increasing year by year, 

 owing, doubtless, to the increase and growth of shade trees, which 

 afford them shelter and protection. 



It is useless to deny that tlie English sparrow is a constant dep- 

 redator on grain and seeds, but we do not hear any complaint of his 

 <lestruction of fruits. We have two extensive fruit farms and sev- 

 eral vineyards in the vicinity, and if they were seriously injured by 

 the sparrows we should hear of it. The farmers can afford to lose 

 a little grain at the time of harvest for the immense destruction of 

 weed seeds by these birds during autumn and winter. The influence 

 of these birds on the crop of weeds of the succeeding season cannot 

 be demonstrated, because what it would be without them is mere 

 speculation. Neither can it be ascertained, with any certainty, what 

 amount of grain they destroy, yet an observant man can estimate 

 for himself the benefits and injuries, and the balance for or against 

 these so-called pests. Yet we insist that with their absence much of 

 the brightness of winter would be lost in this climate. Our voice 

 is therefore raised against the indiscriminate slaughter of these 

 birds, though we do not object to killing for use, as many find them 

 toothsome game. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. Kellogg — What is to be done with the sparrow? is the 

 question. As long as he remains in the cities I would be satisfied, 

 but when he gets into the grain fields there will be a row. So far as 

 I know, they have not yet troubled the fruit to any extent. 



Mr. Cunningham — There is no bird worse than the robin to 

 <lestroy fruit. It is a mistake about the sparrow being quiet and 

 mild. I had a martin box, but the sparrows drove them and the blue 

 birds away and took possession of it until I used a shot-gun on them. 

 They do not disturb the fruit, but are a nuisance. 



Mr. Minier — Except in pot-pie. 



Mr. Kellogg — We look on them with suspicion. 



Mr. Budd — I saw them in England, France and Germany. 

 We have them on the college grounds at Ames, but liave never seen 

 them fighting. I look upon them as respectable birds, and would 

 rather see them become numerous than the robins. I withhold judg- 

 ment against them for further developments. 



Mr. Minier — In 1S76 I noticed some sparrows in the streets in 

 Philadelphia, and asked some ladies how they liked them. They re- 



