more broods arc often rt-arecl in a season. The Si)arro\v is extremely prolific, and 

 one evidence of its wonderful ability to avoid danj^'crs and thrive is shown in the 

 fact that in large cities, where destructive natural enemies are reduced to a 

 minimum, albinism has become more and more noticeable. I have observed here 

 in New York City in recent years that the number of Sparrows showing white 

 feathers in the wings or on the body has a|)[)arcntly increased. If these unusually 

 marked birds lived in the country they would, of course, be shining marks for 

 predatory enemies. 



While primarily a seed-cater by nature, the I'nglish Sparrow is nevertheless 

 quite omnivorous in its food-habits, and it annually destroys many insects. I recall 

 some years ago talking with two farmers in Onslow County, North Carolina, who 

 were lamenting the fact that the law did not protect the English Sparrow, for 

 they stated that these birds were among the most valuable species on their farms 

 because of their great fondness for the caterpillars that infested their tol^acco 

 plants. 



An observer in the L'nited States Department of Agriculture recently found 

 that in I'tah these Sparrows were feeding their young largely on the cut-worms 

 and other insects that were then a scourge of the alfalfa fields of northern Utah. 

 Other observers in various parts of the country have pointed to instances where 

 the English Sparrow was of decided economic value. These cases, however, 

 appear to be comparatively isolated ones, and are regarded by our agricultural 

 experts in Washington as being greatly overbalanced by the injury these birds do 

 to the general interests of mankind. 



Most persons who have tried to cultivate gardens or small fruits in the neigh- 

 borhood of towns or cities are ready to testify to the annoyance they have expe- 

 rienced by English Sparrows eating tender plants, such as new peas and young 

 lettuce, as well as by the destruction of such fruits as cherries, pears, grapes, and 

 peaches. They also frequently destroy buds and flowers. 



The United States Department of Agriculture scientifically investigated the 

 contents of the stomachs of a large number of English Sparrows, and reported 

 that aside from the destruction of weed-seeds, very little is to be said in the 

 English Sparrow's favor. In reference to the insects destroyed this statement is 

 made: "Out of five hundred and fifty-two stomachs inspected by the Biological 

 Survey, forty-seven contained noxious insects, fifty held beneficial insects, and 

 thirty-one contained insects of little or no importance." 



There is a widespread feeling that the country' would be better ofif if the 

 English Sparrow had never been brought here. This sentiment against this 

 bird, whether justified or not, has arisen because of the annoyance it gives to 

 gardeners and fruit-growers; its tendency to destroy the nests of small native 

 birds and thus drive them out of our towns; the loss caused by fires due to the 

 nests placed about buildings catching sparks ; its uncleanly habits spoiling sculp- 

 tures on the fagades of buildings ; its noisy chatter about the house and yard where 

 once the songs of other birds were heard, to say nothing of the petulant calling 



863 



