i8o6 



The Cornell Reading-Courses 



most of the year, and should not be killed until competent examination 

 has proved that there is no other remedy for their stealing the grain and 

 fruit. 



There remains to be mentioned the problem of the house (English) 

 sparrow, which in many localities is highly obnoxious, not only because 

 of its grain-eating habit and its fondness for fruit, peas, beans, and other 

 vegetables, btit also because it crowds out the more beneficial birds and 



usurps their nest holes. It is 

 undoubtedly highly desirable that 

 the nimibers of house sparrows 

 should be greatly diminished. 

 Shooting is not recommended 

 because after the first few shots 

 the birds become extremely wary, 

 and, besides, the sound frightens 

 away other birds. Poisoning is 

 dangerous, and usually results 

 in the death of many native birds 

 as well, if in nothing worse. 

 There remains only the method 

 of tra-pping, v/hich if properly 

 carried out proves very success- 

 ful. Readers are referred to 

 Farmers' Bulletins Nos. 383 and 

 493 for diagrams, and methods of 

 using traps. These bulletins can 

 be obtained on request by writ- 

 ing to the Secretary of Agricul- 

 ture at Washington, D. C. In 

 using the traps they should not be 

 left too long in one place ; for after 

 a nimiber of sparrows have been 

 caught, the others grow suspicious. 

 Inasmuch as our birds are so beneficial, every effort should be expended 

 to protect them, encourage them, and attract them about the orchard 

 and garden. In the following paragraphs is offered a suggestive outline 

 for some of the simpler methods of increasing the niunbers of native 

 birds about the farm. 



The simplest way to a bird's heart is through its stomach. Every one 

 must realize the difficulty which birds, especially those that are courageous 

 enough to brave the cold winter months, have in finding sufficient food 

 to keep themselves alive and warm. Wherever they find an abundant 



Fig. 36. — "Fasten pieces of suet to the branches 

 and trunks oj trees," and thus protect your 

 orchard. An appreciative downy woodpecker 



