Field Notes 217 



The possible objection is that native birds of course can be 

 caught, as well as sparrows, and will die unless soon removed. 

 However, in my experience, only two birds other than sparrows 

 have entered ; both were wrens, and one was released unhurt ; the 

 other, a very young bird, was dead when found. To minimize this 

 risk, the trap may be placed in a position frequented by sparrows 

 and therefore apt to be avoided by other birds, and examined dur- 

 ing the nest hunting season as often as possible ; or the rack can 

 be detached during that time. 



My nest-box trap w^as built in April, 1913, and cost only a trifle. 

 Since its erection, or a year and six months to date, it has caught 

 152 sparrows, with no attention except to remove and destroy the 

 victims. Five or six live sparrows have been taken out at one 

 time. 



I often feel that the stern necessity for constant war against the 

 sparrow is not properly kept in mind by all of us as bird lovers. 

 Nest boxes and martin houses are worse than useless if not care- 

 fully guarded ; feeding devices for winter birds are monopolized by 

 sparrows sooner or later in the majority of cases. It is not enough 

 that we occasionally use the dust-shot gun or air rifle ; there must 

 be active antagonism as nearly all the time as possible. It seems 

 to me that the nest-box trap above referred to affords a constant 

 means of destruction, and I urge its adoption by all those inter- 

 ested in the preservation of our native birds. t. h. w. 



loica. October, lOl'i. 



WHERE ARE THE CHICKADEES? 



There are no Chickadees in the vicinity of Oberlin, Ohio. It 

 would be interesting to know if they have gone farther south than 

 is their custom in winter. Reports from more southern counties 

 indicate that there is no lack of Chickadees there. The editor would 

 be glad to receive reports on the Chickadee for this winter. 



