THE FOOD OF SPARROWS 



During each Month of the Year. 



Six hundred and ninety-four dissections have been made 

 in the preparation of the following Table, by various 

 hands, in various places. They have been made at nearly 

 regular intervals — certainly during every month of the 

 year, and I may almost say during every week. It is 

 therefore hoped they will give a reliable idea of what the 

 customary food of sparrows is, and what their occasional 

 food. I confess this latter phrase is somewhat vague, but 

 have felt the necessity of employing it in default of a 

 better. The column under this heading might no doubt 

 be further extended. 



Maize has only been entered under two months ; but 

 where sparrows have an opportunity of obtaining it, maize 

 would be found in their crops at any time of the year. They 

 will also eat bread, potatoes, rice, pastry, raisins, currants, 

 etc., but as these things have no bearing on the amount 

 of harm which sparrows do to agriculture,* they are not 

 included in the Table. Credit must be given to them 

 as scavengers in a small way in our crowded cities, where 

 they consume matter such as I have named, which, if left, 

 would decay and be injurious to health. 



Among those who have assisted in the inquiry my 

 thanks are especially due to my father, Mr. A. Willis, Mr. 

 B. B. Sapwell, Mr. G. Roberts, Mr. F. Norgate, Mr. C. 

 L. Buxton, Mr. T. Southwell, Mr. T. E. Gunn, Mr. F. A. 

 Lees, Mr. C. G. Barrett, Mr. H. H. Slater, and Colonel 

 Russell. I have further availed myself of sundry notes 



* If the pigs have barley-meal they rob them of some of it, as well 

 as any other food which is given to them. 



