62 Bird -Lore 



longer available, owing to overcrowding, they will build bulky, covered, and 

 ill-looking nests among the branches of shade trees. The nesting material 

 used consists of straw, grass, twigs, rags, fragments of paper, or feathers; in 

 fact, almost any substance that may easily be carried seems to be regarded by 

 these birds as suitable material for nest-making. 



The eggs are spotted, and usually range in number from four to six. Two 

 or more broods are often reared in a season. The Sparrow is extremely pro- 

 lific, and one evidence of its wonderful ability to avoid dangers 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 Spar- 

 rows showing white feathers in the wings or on the body has apparently 

 increased. If these unusually marked birds lived in the country they would, of 

 course, be shining marks for predatory enemies. 



While primarily a seed-eater by nature, the English Sparrow is neverthe- 

 less 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 tobacco plants. 



An observer in the United States Department of Agriculture recently 

 found that in Utah these Sparrows were feeding their young largely on the cut- 

 worms and other insects that were then a scourge to the alfalfa fields of north- 

 ern 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 

 neighborhood of towns or cities are ready to testify to the annoyance they 

 have experienced 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 Biologi- 

 cal 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 off if the 

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



